Wicomico County Board of Education

Wicomico Summer Enrichment Center Cancelled for 2010

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:51:14 -0500

The Wicomico Summer Enrichment Center will not be held this year due to the late end to the 2009-10 school year, but please watch for the Wicomico Summer Enrichment Center to return in 2011.

Many school cancellations due to inclement weather this school year have resulted in a very late school closing date this year – June 18 instead of June 11. Teachers are obligated until June 22. The Summer Enrichment teachers would need one set-up day at the school welcoming students for the many fun and educational classes in drama, art, computer, music and other activities. That would leave only 2 days of instruction one week and 3 the following week before the end of the month and the end of the fiscal year. The Summer Enrichment Center normally operates for a full 10 days.

“We agreed that delivering a quality program is critical to maintaining the reputation of the Summer Enrichment Center program,” said Susan Bounds, director of the Summer Enrichment Center. “We will be back next year.”

Delmar Elementary's Lisa King is Named 2010-11 Wicomico Teacher of the Year

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:41:07 -0500

Lisa King, a third-grade teacher at Delmar Elementary School, was recognized for her outstanding work in the classroom when she was named 2010-11 Wicomico Teacher of the Year March 18. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen and Board of Education President Mark S. Thompson announced King's honor at the end of the annual Wicomico Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet at the Commons at Salisbury University.

"I believe educators should always seek professional growth to strengthen their knowledge base," King wrote in her Teacher of the Year writing prompt. She said she actively works to strengthen the profession of teaching by seeking out opportunities for professional development, serving as a mentor of future teachers, and by putting into practice in her classroom the techniques she learns through her studies toward of a master's degree in reading. "I have learned new techniques to use to infuse a literature-based approach with my basal series. I have also learned how to engage my students in reading workshops. I use differentiated instruction, integrated approaches to teaching reading, and I integrate technology in my lessons."

Effectively instructing students is sometimes the least of the challenges a teacher faces. "One problem that public education faces today is how the economy has impacted our students' families. Many parents have lost jobs, which has become a stress on students' home life. Students bring these hardships with them to school each day. How do educators promote learning to the student who has no home because their mother or father has lost their job? That student is worried about where their next meal is going to come from and where they are going to sleep at night. Although student learning is at the heart of teaching, their basic needs have to be met first," wrote King, who said meeting those needs is a community-wide issue.

As Wicomico Teacher of the Year, King represents the county's more than 1,249 teachers. She also represents the outstanding staff of Delmar Elementary, whose roster of teachers includes the outgoing Wicomico Teacher of the Year, Susan Cullen. Both King and Cullen teach third grade at Delmar Elementary. This is King's first year at Delmar Elementary, after spending her first nine years as a teacher at Pinehurst Elementary.

King holds a bachelor's degree in education from Salisbury University, and began working for Wicomico County Public Schools in 1998 as the co-director of the East Salisbury Family Center, assisting at-risk students and their families. In addition to teaching third grade at Pinehurst and now Delmar, she has served as grade level and Instructional Leadership Team chair. She has often been consulted by her peers for her expertise in dealing with challenging populations. She had previously been honored as the Wicomico Intermediate Teacher of the Year in 2008. In the community, she has volunteered as an after-school tutor for a church organization, as a parent on the parent advisory committee at Wicomico Middle, and as a staff volunteer at Pinehurst activities.

King's nomination for Wicomico Teacher of the Year came from a co-worker who said, "Lisa inspires students every minute of the day. I am in her classroom every day for an hour and a half. She can make a sad child smile just by her astonishing way with children. She has gotten every child in her class to want to learn. They are excited to come to school. I have worked with her for over five months and I can't wait to go in her classroom."

The new Teacher of the Year will begin her year in style, arriving at Delmar Elementary School at 9:30 a.m. Friday chauffeured in a classic 1949 Buick provided for the occasion by Wicomico music teacher and auto enthusiast Buck Burton. King will be featured, along with this year's 24 other semi-finalists, in a "Working Together for Children" Teacher of the Year special on PAC 14.

Later this year, King will represent Wicomico County Public Schools in the Maryland Teacher of the Year contest. Wicomico is proud to have two former Maryland Teachers of the Year, Bonnie Walston and Aaron Deal, working in the school system on behalf of students.

Top Teachers

The annual Teacher of the Year Banquet spotlights not just the year's most outstanding teacher, but all Wicomico educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to excellence, dedication to teaching the children of the community, and professional achievement, said Karen Leimann, coordinator of the Teacher of the Year Program.

Twenty-five semi-finalists were selected to complete a writing prompt and undergo an interview with a blue-ribbon judging panel of former Wicomico teachers of the year. Based on results from the interview and writing exercise, the judging panel chose a finalist to represent each school level. Finalists were, in addition to King for the intermediate level: Jessica White, kindergarten teacher, Willards Elementary; Janice Davis, General Music teacher/Choral Director, Pittsville Elementary and Middle; and Cheryl Howard Doughty, Family & Consumer Sciences teacher, James M. Bennett High.

The other semi-finalists for 2010-11 Wicomico Teacher of the Year were:

Jessica Atkins, Grade 5 teacher, Glen Avenue Elementary
Janice Austin, Math teacher, Wicomico High
Karen Carroll, Grade 6 Reading/Language Arts teacher, Salisbury Middle
Carol Chester, Social Studies teacher, Wicomico Middle
Kerri Corron, Kindergarten teacher, West Salisbury Elementary
Alexan Dargan, Grade 1 teacher, Beaver Run Elementary
Maria Davis, Special Education teacher, Parkside High
Jennifer Fenzel, Grade 5 teacher, Westside Intermediate
Claudia Hapner, Early Intervention specialist, Infants & Toddlers Program
Laura Haugh, Grade 1 teacher, Westside Primary
Joanne Hoeffner, Science teacher, Mardela Middle and High
Lori Menzel, Grade 3 Math teacher, East Salisbury Elementary
Jennifer Morris, Kindergarten teacher, Fruitland Primary
Brian Otto, Kindergarten teacher, Pinehurst Elementary
Tara Parsons, Grade 3 teacher, Pemberton Elementary Magnet
Audra Phippin, Title I Math teacher, Northwestern Elementary
Marsha Rickards, Kindergarten teacher, Prince Street Elementary
Christina Ruark, Math teacher, Bennett Middle
Michelle Schlegel, Kindergarten teacher, Charles H. Chipman Elementary
Theresa Spicer, Grade 4 teacher, Fruitland Intermediate
Teresa Williams, Grade 3 Math teacher, North Salisbury Elementary Magnet

Friend of Education

Each year at the Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet, Wicomico also honors a "Friend of Education" who has generously supported Wicomico schoolchildren and schools. This year's recipient of the Friend of Education Award was Hannah Miller, community relations manager for Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Salisbury. Miller and Barnes & Noble partner with the school system on many programs for students, including the STARS after-school program, and a summer reading program for students in grades 1-6. Miller visits schools to speak at PTA meetings and to talk with students about the importance of reading. She also presents information to new teachers. Barnes & Noble provides space for school groups to wrap presents at the holidays.

Business Sponsors of the Wicomico Teacher of the Year Program

The Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Banquet is sponsored or supported by a number of generous businesses and organizations.

Gold Level: CareFirst, Holt Paper & Chemical Co.

Silver Level: Association of Public School Administrators & Supervisors, Atlantic Pumping Inc., Bank of Delmarva, W. R. McCain & Associates, Salisbury University Alumni Association.

Bronze Level: Becker Morgan Group, Bubba's Place, Chesapeake Water Testing Labs, Davis, Bowen, & Friedel, Delegate and Mrs. Carolyn Elmore, First Shore Federal Savings & Loan, Gordy Tiger Mart, Mr. & Mrs. Charles Goslee, Ms. Doretha Jones, and Princess Anne Chapter of The Links, Inc.

In-kind Donors: Acorn Market, Barb's Gift & Hallmark Shop, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Bubba's Place, Buck Burton, Chick-fil-A, Clear Channel Outdoor, Dell Computers, Delmarva Broadcasting, Dress Barn, Eastside Deli, Educational Supplies, Inc. , Fancy Fingers, Fractured Prune the Donut Shop, G. B. Heron & Co., Goin' Nuts Café, Instructional Resource Center, Joseph Lauren Hair Classics, Kitty's Flowers, Kuhn's Jewelers, La Tolteca Mexican Restaurant, Old West Steakhouse, Olive Garden, PAC 14, Plaza Tapatia, Red Door Sub Shop, Rise Up Coffee, Route 12 Pizza, Ruby Tuesday of Fruitland, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Salisbury University, Specific Gravity, Subside Deli, Talbots, The Daily Times, The Gospel Shop, Uno's, Viva Espresso, Zia's Italian Grill.

Wicomico StrikeForce Robotics Team from Parkside CTE Advances to National Championships

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:29:40 -0500

The Wicomico team competing in the Chesapeake Regional First Robotics Competition in Baltimore earlier this month won two of the three rookie awards and qualified to advance to the National Championships in Atlanta April 15-17.

Competing in its rookie season, the StrikeForce team from Wicomico had just four weeks (because of winter weather) to build a robot that could play soccer. During the competition at the Baltimore Convention Center March 11-13, the team from Parkside High School CTE, with one student from Stephen Decatur High School, competed in 11 matches against 50 robotics teams from 10 different states. The team’s final record was 5-2-4. The team, at one point in the competition ranked 48th out of 50, fought back to finish 28th.

The team was honored as Highest Rookie Seed, given to the highest-ranking rookie team at the conclusion of all competition matches. The team also received the Rookie AllStar Award, which qualifies the team to attend the National Championships in Atlanta. This award is based on overall performance on the field and off. Judges were constantly observing teams in the pit area for such factors as teamwork, enthusiasm, student performance and behavior, robot design, and safety. Students were constantly pulled aside by judges for interviews.

The team will be raising money to fund the trip to Atlanta. For information please contact Parkside CTE at 410-677-5144, e-mail Dave Miles at damiles@wcboe.org, or visit the team’s web site at http://3389.esrteams.org/.

StrikeForce team members are Alex Gonzalez, 12th-grade team captain; Brandon Russ, pit crew captain; Unique Boston and Nick Cook, 11th-grade team co-captains; Michelle Caldwell, 12th grade, and Ravaughn Nicols, 11th grade, safety managers; and Kenneth Rumbley, Cristian Salem, Chris Littleton, Sean Irwin, Chris Beach, Jake Jones, Sam Banks, Matt Duncan and Adam Chance. Austin Kosin of Stephen Decatur High School is also a team member. Coaches are Dave Miles, Electronics instructor; Steve Jenkins, High Performance Manufacturing instructor; Jenny Miles, instructional assistant for Special Education, and Michele Kosin, a substitute teacher from Worcester County, with industry support from MaTech Inc. of Salisbury.

Twenty-Five Semi-finalists Await Thursday's Announcement of the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:15:34 -0500

Twenty-five semi-finalists for 2010-11 Wicomico Teacher of the Year have met with a blue ribbon panel of judges and will find out on Thursday, March 18, who will be named the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year.

The annual Wicomico Teacher of the Year banquet, with more than 200 guests including dozens of outstanding teachers, will be held at The Commons at Salisbury University beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 18. The announcement of four finalists (one for each school level) and the naming of the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year will take place by around 9 p.m. The banquet will also feature student musicians and the honoring of a new Friend of Education.

Congratulations to all of these semifinalists for 2010-11 Wicomico County Teacher of the Year:

Jessica Atkins
Grade 5 teacher
Glen Avenue Elementary

Janice Austin
Math teacher
Wicomico High

Karen Carroll
Grade 6 Reading/Language Arts teacher
Salisbury Middle

Carol Chester
Social Studies teacher
Wicomico Middle

Kerri Corron
Kindergarten teacher
West Salisbury Elementary

Alexan Dargan
Grade 1 teacher
Beaver Run Elementary

Janice Davis
General Music teacher/Choral director
Pittsville Elementary and Middle

Maria Davis
Special Education teacher
Parkside High

Cheryl Howard Doughty
Family & Consumer Sciences teacher
James M. Bennett High

Jennifer Fenzel
Grade 5 teacher
Westside Intermediate

Claudia Hapner
Early Intervention specialist
Infants & Toddlers Program

Laura Haugh
Grade 1 teacher
Westside Primary

Joanne Hoeffner
Science teacher
Mardela Middle and High

Lisa King
Grade 3 teacher
Delmar Elementary

Lori Menzel
Grade 3 Math teacher
East Salisbury Elementary

Jennifer Morris
Kindergarten teacher
Fruitland Primary

Brian Otto
Kindergarten teacher
Pinehurst Elementary

Tara Parsons
Grade 3 teacher
Pemberton Elementary Magnet

Audra Phippin
Title I Math teacher
Northwestern Elementary

Marsha Rickards
Kindergarten teacher
Prince Street Elementary

Christina Ruark
Math teacher
Bennett Middle

Michelle Schlegel
Kindergarten teacher
Charles H. Chipman Elementary

Theresa Spicer
Grade 4 teacher
Fruitland Intermediate

Jessica White
Kindergarten teacher
Willards Elementary

Teresa Williams
Grade 3 Math teacher
North Salisbury Elementary Magnet

Wicomico Receives State Waiver for Five School Days; 2009-2010 Calendar Update

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:18:58 -0500

State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nancy Grasmick has granted the request from Wicomico County Public Schools to waive five of the 12 school days missed this school year due to inclement weather.

Wicomico Schools were closed due to inclement weather on 12 days from December to February. Five of the missed school days will be made up on the five days from Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18, in accordance with the approved school calendar for 2009-2010. (June 9, 10 and 11 will now be regular school days. June 16, 17 and 18 will be early dismissal days.)

To make up two more missed days, the Wicomico County Board of Education approved changing the professional days scheduled for March 1 and May 3 into school days with dismissal two hours early for students. Teachers remain at school following dismissal to receive required testing preparation and other professional development.

This week’s decision by the State Superintendent to grant a five-day waiver for Wicomico County Public Schools means that all missed days have been addressed. The approved Spring Holiday dates for students are not affected by makeup days. Wicomico Schools will close for students at the regular time on Tuesday, March 30, and will be closed for students Wednesday, March 31-Monday, April 5, for the Spring Holidays. The School and Central Offices will be closed Friday, April 2, and Monday, April 5. Schools and Central Office will reopen Tuesday, April 6.

Students and parents/guardians should note the following changes in the 2009-10 school calendar:

April 13: End of 3rd marking period (originally scheduled for March 30)
April 14: Beginning of 4th marking period (originally scheduled for April 6)
April 21: Report cards distributed (originally scheduled for April 13)
May 3: School day with dismissal two hours early (originally scheduled as a professional day for teachers)
May 14: Mid-term reports distributed (originally scheduled for May 7)
June 9-11: Regular school days (originally scheduled as early dismissal days)
June 14 and 15: Regular school days (added as makeup days due to inclement weather closings)
June 16, 17 and 18: School days with dismissal two hours early (added as makeup days due to inclement weather closings). June 18 is the last day of school for students.

New Edition of Working Together for Children Airing on PAC 14

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:15:56 -0500

The latest edition of "Working Together for Children" is now airing on PAC 14 (Comcast Channel 14), with showtimes at 9:29 p.m. Tuesday, 6 a.m. and 9:03 p.m. Wednesday, and 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The show is also scheduled to air at noon Saturday and at other times throughout the month; please visit www.pac14.org for additional airtimes.

The March 2010 edition of the show features an interview with Dr. Margo Handy, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Student Services. The show also highlights Destination ImagiNation, a Wicomico High School fashion show, Jump Rope for Heart, science (through the Mobile Aquatics Lab at Northwestern Elementary and Science Night at Pemberton Elementary), as well as resources that can be found at www.wcboe.org.

"Working Together for Children" airs regularly at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and noon Saturdays; check the Programming grid at www.pac14.org for additional times. PAC 14 also streams its programming live on its web site at www.pac14.org, so viewers can visit the web site to "tune in" on line when the show is on the air. DVDs of many past "Working Together" shows are now available at the Wicomico Public Library. Please call 410-677-4529 or e-mail fwilson@wcboe.org for information.

Coming Up Soon on the Wicomico School Calendar

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:43:59 -0500

March 22-26
Artist-in-Residence Program
Willards Elementary

Prekindergarten and kindergarten students at Wonderful Willards Elementary will participate in an artist-in-residence program with Molly Ross March 22-26. They will be participating in a Parade Arts residency program which will integrate Science, Social Studies, our cultural study of India, and visual art. 410-677-5819.

Tuesday, March 23
Summer Camp Expo
Pinehurst Elementary

The best place to start planning camps and other summer activities for your children is at the Summer Camp Expo at Pinehurst Elementary from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 23. This event is open to the entire community. Come meet with organizations that have summer camps and programs for students to see what is available. Exhibitors are welcome; please call 410-677-5810. A list of exhibitors is below.

Salisbury Zoo
Ward Museum
Camp Odyssey
Kumon
Sylvan
Mitchell’s Martial Arts
Kickers
NASA Space Camp
Diamond Dreams:
Sherman Wood Youth Football Camp
Ultimate Summer Camp
Instructional Tee ball league
Lil’ Stickers Field Hockey Camp
Dancenter Salisbury
Wor-Wic Community College:
Summer Scholars: Career Exploration, CSI for Kids, Cooking, Digital Photos, Fashion Design, LEGO Robotics, Space and Rocketry, Wild World of Weather, Chess, Art and Writing
Child Development Center Summer Program
Eastern Shore Writing Project
Crown Sports Center
Wicomico Public Library
Wicomico County Parks and Recreation:
Kids Club Summer Escape Day Camp
Summer Nature Camp at Pemberton Historical Park
Camp Pinehurst for children with Special Needs
Westside Summer Camp
Westside Soccer Camp Teen Conditioning and Pre-Season Preparation
Westside Soccer Youth Instructional Camp
Eastern Shore Junior Golf League
Challenger British Soccer Camp
Shore Stick Field Hockey Camp
Margie Knight Girls Volleyball Camp
Shore Slam Tennis Camp
Salvation Army:
Summer Day Camp for ages 5-12
Preschool Day Camp for ages 2-5
Lower Shore Childcare Resource Center
Art Institute & Gallery
Beach Bounders Gymnastics
Kaleidoscope Children & Youth Productions
Ocean City Parks and Recreation:
Baseball Camp
Basketball Camp
Boogieboard Camp
Cheerleading Camp
Sports Conditioning Camp
Dance Camp
Fishing Camp
Flag Football Camp
Golf Camp
Jr. Beach Patrol Academy
Lacrosse Camps for Boys and Girls
OC Coastal Bay Bioblitz Nature Camp
Kabuto Mushi Rhino- Titan Tank Robot Battle Camp
Ocean Bowl Skate Camp for Skateboarding
For the Love of Soccer Camp
Ocean City Tennis Academy
Bayside Volleyball Camp
Kerry McCoy’s Maryland Wrestling Camp
Scamper Camp (Day Camp for ages 3.5-5 years old)
Camp Horizon (Day Camp for ages 5-12 years old)
University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Wednesday, March 24
Superintendent’s Open Door Session
Board of Education Building

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen will hold a Superintendent’s Open Door Session from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, in the Administrative Conference Room of the Board of Education Building, Mt. Hermon Road and Long Avenue, Salisbury. Open Door Sessions provide the opportunity for people to meet one-on-one with the superintendent. People may express concerns, offer comment, or ask questions on any issue involving Wicomico schools. No appointment is needed. Open Door Sessions will also be held from 4-6 p.m. on these additional dates: April 21 and May 26. 410-677-4495.

Thursday, March 25
Special Registration Day for Kindergarten and Prekindergarten
Wicomico Schools with Primary Grades

The first day to register children for prekindergarten and kindergarten for the 2010-2011 school year in Wicomico County Public Schools will be Thursday, March 25.

On that day, Wicomico County elementary schools with primary grades will begin enrolling children who will start prekindergarten or kindergarten next year, and children not in public kindergarten who will be enrolled in the first grade for the 2010-2011 school year.

Parents or guardians will need to bring immunization records (please see a doctor or the health department to ensure that the child’s vaccination record is complete), birth certificate and proof of residency for each child. Income verification is needed for prekindergarten registration ONLY.

The flier on prekindergarten/kindergarten registration and the table of state vaccination requirements may be downloaded from the Wicomico County Public Schools Web site at www.wcboe.org, under Quick Links.

Registration takes place at each Wicomico school that serves primary grades (prekindergarten through grade 2), from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Exceptions are: Beaver Run Elementary, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.; Delmar Elementary, 8:15-11:15 a.m. and 12:15-3:15 p.m.; Willards Elementary, 8:15-11:15 a.m., 12:15-3:15 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.; Fruitland Primary, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Westside Primary, 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.; and Prince Street Elementary, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Schools will register children every day after the March 25 opening day.

The next school year will begin Aug. 30, 2010. The approved calendar for the 2010-2011 may be viewed and downloaded from the Board home page at www.wcboe.org, under Quick Links.

Call 410-677-4580 for any additional information, including early entrance into prekindergarten or kindergarten. The Board policy on early admission to kindergarten and prekindergarten is on the web site at www.wcboe.org; Look for Board of Education in Quick Links and click to go to Policies.

Kindergarten is mandatory for all 5-year-old Maryland children unless the parents or guardians have completed a Kindergarten-Level of Maturity Waiver Form. Forms are available at the schools or the Board website. Completed forms should be forwarded to the attention of Mrs. Susan Jones, Director of Elementary Education. Children must be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2010.

Prekindergarten is not mandatory, and is offered to qualified children who will be 4 by Sept. 1, 2010. Maryland and Delmar, Del., neighborhood children who come from low-income or at-risk situations, have prior participation in Head Start or who experience challenges like emergency or health problems, limited English proficiency, homelessness, or other home or family circumstances, will be given priority admission to prekindergarten. Children may also be recommended for the program by government or court referral. Parents or guardians whose child does not meet those criteria can put the child’s name on a waiting list, which will be used to fill any remaining slots. Documentation must be submitted prior to a child’s acceptance into the program.

Thursday, March 25
3rd annual Technology Media Festival
North Salisbury Elementary

Students and teachers will showcase their best work in technology media at the 3rd annual Technology Media Festival at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at North Salisbury Elementary.

Wednesday, March 31-Monday, April 5
Spring Holidays
Schools closed

Wicomico Schools will close at the regular time on Tuesday, March 30, and will be closed Wednesday, March 31-Monday, April 5, for the Spring Holidays. The Central Office will be closed Friday, April 2, and Monday, April 5. Schools and Central Office will reopen Tuesday, April 6.

Please note: The approved Spring Holiday dates are not affected by makeup days. Students and parents/guardians should note the following changes in the 2009-10 school calendar:

April 13: End of 3rd marking period (originally scheduled for March 30)
April 14: Beginning of 4th marking period (originally scheduled for April 6)
April 21: Report cards distributed (originally scheduled for April 13)
May 3: School day with dismissal two hours early (originally scheduled as a professional day for teachers)
May 14: Mid-term reports distributed (originally scheduled for May 7)
June 9-11: Regular school days (originally scheduled as early dismissal days)
June 14 and 15: Regular school days (added as makeup days due to inclement weather closings)
June 16, 17 and 18: School days with dismissal two hours early (added as makeup days due to inclement weather closings). June 18 is the last day of school for students.

April 8-10
Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival
Salisbury University

The annual Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival at Salisbury University will highlight outstanding authors and books and will engage many Wicomico schoolchildren in learning about literature. The festival begins on Thursday, April 8, with the Environmental Literature Festival from 6-9 p.m. with author Michael Buckley (The Sisters Grimm series, NERDS series) presenting at 6 p.m. and signing at 7 p.m., along with winners of the Green Earth Book Awards. At 7 p.m., winners of the 2010 Eastern Shore Young Authors and High School Young Authors contests will be honored, followed by a presentation by author Peter Gould. On Friday, April 9, from 9-9:50 a.m., author Eileen Spinelli and illustrator Anne Kennedy (“Miss Fox’s Class Goes Green”) will meet with Pemberton Elementary kindergartners and the public for a Q&A session. From 10-10:50 a.m., author S. Terrill French (“Operation Redwood”) will meet with Pinehurst Elementary fourth-graders and the public. From 1-1:50 p.m., author Marfe Ferguson Delano (“Earth in the Hot Seat,” “Genius: A Photobiography of Albert Einstein”) will meet with Salisbury Middle and Mardela Middle students and the public. The festival will continue on Saturday, April 10, with a community day at Barnes & Noble with collaboration by the Ward Museum. This event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. will include book signings by Green Book Award winners, and information provided by environmental organizations. All events are free and open to the public. For the latest information, please call 410-543-6509. http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~elbond/childlitfestival.html.

Friday, April 9
Warriors’ Challenge
Mardela Middle and High School

Have any plans yet for April 9? Please make plans to participate or help out with Mardela's Warriors’ Challenge sporting competition. Specific details will be forthcoming but for now all you need to know is that the Mardela Middle and High PTA is sponsoring this competition on Friday, April 9, from 6 - 8 p.m. in the gym. Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12, and teachers will compete in fun and zany games to see who walks out of the MMHS gym that evening being able to say that they survived the Warriors’ Challenge. 410-677-5142.

Saturday, April 10
Destination ImagiNation (DI) State Tournament
University of Maryland, Baltimore County

The 2010 Maryland DI State Tournament will be held Saturday, April 10, at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Catonsville, and 17 teams from Wicomico County Public Schools have qualified to participate. Teams will be competing to win a spot at the Global Finals in Tennessee. Last year Wicomico County sent 5 qualifying teams to this international event.

Destination ImagiNation ( DI ) is a student centered, technology friendly, international organization for kindergarten through college students. It teaches life skills and expands imaginations through team-based creative problem solving. Destination ImagiNation emphasizes creativity, teamwork and problem solving.

The DI Program has two components revolving around a central theme each year. The first component is Instant Challenge ( IC ). These challenges spark and quickly capture the team members’ wild imaginations as they attempt to solve a challenge on the spot. Students practice “Improv” techniques using materials and verbal responses which will enable them to handle spontaneous problem solving. Students learn creativity skills, divergent and convergent thinking skills, risk taking, time awareness, cooperation, and how to have fun with their team members along the way.

The second component is the Central Challenge ( CC ). Teams use art, technology, performance, and real world relevance as they tackle one of five different challenges each year. The team solution takes weeks and months to complete. Each challenge contains scoring elements that will be carefully judged by trained appraisers.

Saturday, April 10
Eastern Shore Reading Council Literacy Fair
The Centre at Salisbury

The Eastern Shore Reading Council will hold its annual Literacy Fair at the Centre at Salisbury Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Schools, organizations and others will have booths highlighting literacy. To sign up as an exhibitor, contact Otto Jester at ojester@wcboe.org or call 410-422-3577 and leave a message.

Saturday, April 10
Parkside Concert Choir Competes at Annapolis Heritage Festival
Annapolis

The Concert Choir of Parkside High School will perform at some very exciting venues this spring. On Saturday, April 10, the group will compete against 13 other choral groups at the Annapolis Heritage Festival at Annapolis Area Christian School. The Concert Choir will perform three adjudicated selections (the same pieces that will be used for the Eastern Shore Choral Directors Association District Festival on March 25.) The choir will also have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore and the evening will be completed with a dinner, show, and awards ceremony at Medieval Times in Annapolis. Choir director Sarah McCabe, 410-677-5143.

Saturday, April 10
STEM Saturday
Learning Science Through Research at Horn Point

Learning Science Through Research (a trip to Horn Point Environmental Research Lab in Cambridge: Middle-school participants become lab scientists for a day using ocean science to explore basic scientific principles), 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 10, students depart from and return to Salisbury Middle. To register contact Gretchen Boggs at gboggs@wcboe.org or at 410-677-5149.

Tuesday, April 13, 1:30 p.m.
Board of Education Monthly Meeting
Board of Education Office

The monthly meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, in the Board of Education Office. 410-677-4561.

Wednesday, April 14
Parkside Concert Choir Sings National Anthem
Oriole Park at Camden Yards

The Concert Choir of Parkside High School submitted an audition CD to the Baltimore Orioles and has been chosen to sing the National Anthem at the start of the game at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 14. Many parents and other family members will be joining the choir at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for this incredible experience. Choir director Sarah McCabe, 410-677-5143.

Tuesday, April 20
Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night
Wicomico Middle School

The next Wicomico County Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night of the 2009-10 school year will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, at Wicomico Middle School to honor outstanding students, teachers, administrators, schools, programs and community partners.

April 21-May 11
MSA Science Testing for Grades 5 and 8

The testing window for Maryland School Assessment (MSA) Science will begin April 21 and run until May 11. The MSA Science test is taken by students in grades 5 and 8.

Tuesday, May 4
Parkside Concert Choir Sings National Anthem
Delmarva Shorebirds Game

The Concert Choir of Parkside High School has been chosen to sing the National Anthem at the Delmarva Shorebirds game on Tuesday, May 4, at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury. Choir director Sarah McCabe, 410-677-5143.

Thursday, May 27
Wicomico County Math 24 Game Tournament
Salisbury University Commons

The annual Math 24 Game Tournament for Wicomico elementary and middle students will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 27, in the Commons at Salisbury University. (This event was originally scheduled for May 20.)

Opportunities to Support Our Schools

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:43:23 -0500

Now Open
A+ Garden Centre
Parkside CTE

The A+ Garden Centre at Parkside High School CTE is now open, with student-grown plants for sale in a garden centre operated by students. It will be open from 8:30-11 a.m. and 12:30-2 p.m. weekdays on regular school days. Check with the garden centre for what’s available. 410-341-8746.

Thursday, March 18
Basket & Bag Bingo
Delmar Elementary PTA

Delmar Elementary PTA will host Basket & Bag Bingo featuring Longaberger baskets and Vera Bradley bags on Thursday, March 18, at the Salisbury Moose Lodge. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and bingo starts at 7 p.m. Prizes, raffles, 50/50, silent auction; food and beverages for sale. Must be 18 or older. For tickets or information please contact Aprille at 410-726-3444 or Sherry at 443-235-1706. All proceeds will benefit the Delmar Elementary PTA.

Friday, March 19
PTA Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show
Glen Avenue Elementary

The 2010 Glen Avenue PTA Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show will be held Friday, March 19, at the school. (Event rescheduled from Feb. 26.) This is a great night to support the school by enjoying wonderful spaghetti and the outstanding talents of Glen Avenue students. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and the Talent Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Dinner/Talent Show tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Tickets for the Talent Show ONLY are $5. 410-677-5806.

Saturday, March 20
Longaberger Basket and Vera Bradley Bingo
Salisbury Middle School

Salisbury Middle School will hold its annual Longaberger® Basket and Vera Bradley© Bag Bingo and Silent Auction benefitting academic, extracurricular and student support programs. The event will be held on March 20 at Salisbury Middle School located at 607 Morris Street in Salisbury, Maryland. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and games will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Food and drinks will be sold for your convenience. For more information, please call Beverly Elzey at 410-677-5113 or 410-677-5149. We hope you will join us for an evening of fun and a variety of games including auctions, raffles and more.

Saturday, March 27
Horizons Arts & Dance Showcase
Wicomico High School Auditorium

The 2010 Horizons Arts & Dance Showcase will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27, in the Wicomico High School Auditorium. This event benefits Horizons at The Salisbury School (www.salisburyhorizons.org), a program that aims to educate and inspire elementary-aged students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and provides them with a wide array of academic, social and recreational opportunities. Featured Showcase performers include the cast of A Pirate’s Life, JMB Rock & Roll Revival, Feet of Fire, Prince Street Pride Steppers, All Shook Up, Dancenter, Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre, and Salisbury Studio of Dance. Chinese auction. Refreshments will be available. Dessert and coffee bar provided by Common Grounds Coffee Shop. Sponsors are the Wicomico County Board of Education, The Salisbury School, Otway & Russo Law, and CFS Retirement & Tax Solutions. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 children. 410-742-4464, ext. 109.

Friday, April 16
Junior Achievement 24th annual Golf Tournament
Green Hill Yacht & Country Club

The 24th annual Junior Achievement Golf Tournament will be held at Green Hill Yacht & Country Club Friday, April 16, with registration beginning at noon. This is the organization’s largest fund-raiser of the year, and money raised by the tournament helps to purchase teaching materials for financial literacy programs that reach more than 5,000 youth across the Eastern Shore. Teams of four may register for $400 through April 1; the cost is $500 after April 1. Single players may also register. The tournament is sponsored by Delmarva Power. Contact Junior Achievement at 410-742-8112 or juniorachievement@comcast.net.

Saturday, April 24
Scavenger Hunt and Car & Motorcycle Show
Pittsville PTA, at Willards Elementary (new location)

The first Pittsville PTA Scavenger Hunt and Car & Motorcycle Show will be held at the Willards Elementary School (new location) on Saturday, April 24. The schedule includes: 9-10 a.m. registration for bike scavenger hunt, which will be from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 9-10:30 a.m. registration for vehicle scavenger hunt, which will be from 10:30 a.m.-noon; 9-11 a.m. registration for car and motorcycle show; 1 p.m. last chance to vote for Kiss the Pig Contest plus judging for bike show and live auction; 1:30 p.m. judging for car show; 2 p.m. awards presentation and Kiss the Pigs. Refreshments by the Powellville Fire Co., Pittsville Ladies Auxiliary and Whitey’s BBQ will be available for purchase. For more information contact Mindy West at 410-835-2234 or mstwest@hotmail.com.

Coupon Booklets for Local Restaurants
Benefitting Kindness of Strangers Fund

LORA (Local Owners Restaurant Association) coupon booklets are now being sold, with proceeds going to the Kindness of Strangers Fund. Kindness of Strangers (KOS) is a fund established to assist families in purchasing therapeutic/adaptive equipment for their children with special needs ages birth-21. The coupon booklets are $25, and $20 of that amount goes into the KOS fund. Five dollars goes to Junior Achievement, which printed the booklet. The booklet is worth more than $200 with locally owned restaurants such as Market Street, Sobo's, Breaktime, Red Roost, Boonies, Adam's and others. Use all the coupons and your name will be entered to win cash prizes which will be drawn at Pork in the Park. This is a great way to help others. Call Lori Thompson at 410-677-5250 or e-mail her at lthompso@wcboe.org to purchase a booklet.

Available Now
Kids of Honor Gift Cards
Viva Espresso

If you eat/drink at Viva Espresso coffee shop on College Avenue, please consider buying a gift card to use for your purchases. Viva Espresso now has a Kids of Honor branded gift card for sale there. You just buy it at face value and use it for your purchases. Nancy Dix, owner of Viva Espresso, donates a portion of all sales to Kids of Honor - a win/win situation! You can re-load the card when it gets low or runs out. The cards also make great gifts for dog/cat sitters, birthdays, holidays, get well gifts, mail-carriers, etc.

Highlighted Events This Week in Wicomico Schools

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:42:54 -0500

Tuesday, March 16 and Wednesday, March 17
MSA Reading testing for all students in grades 3-5

MSA (Maryland School Assessment) testing continues in elementary schools with intermediate grades: MSA Reading testing for all students in grades 3-5 on Tuesday and Wednesday. (MSA testing will continue April 21-May 11, when students in grade 5 and 8 take the MSA Science test.)

Wednesday, March 17
4th annual Career Day

The Young Professionals Committee of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE), The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will host the 4th Annual Career Day on March 17. All ninth-graders from Wicomico County Public Schools, The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will visit Salisbury University to gain a deeper understanding of career fields they are interested in pursuing. Many presenters from the community will be participating. Students from James M. Bennett High, Mardela High, The Salisbury School and Salisbury Christian School will be at Career Day from 9:15-11:15 a.m. Students from Parkside High and Wicomico High will explore careers from 12:15-2:15 p.m. Media contact: Dave Harner, Coordinator of Secondary Initiatives, 443-783-5483.

Thursday, March 18, 6 p.m.
Wicomico Teacher of the Year Banquet
Salisbury University Commons

The Wicomico Teacher of the Year Banquet will be held in the Salisbury University Commons starting at 6 p.m. A new Wicomico Teacher of the Year for 2010-11 will be named at the end of the night. 410-677-4462. Attendance for the banquet is by invitation only.

Thursday, March 18
BEE Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting
Board of Education Office

The BEE Federal Credit Union will hold its annual meeting at the Board of Education Office at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 18.

Friday, March 19
Jump Rope for Heart
North Salisbury Elementary

Students at North Salisbury Elementary will help raise awareness of heart health while raising money for the American Heart Association during Jump Rope for Heart, starting at 9:30 p.m. 410-677-5807.

Saturday, March 20
STEM Saturday Special Program
Salisbury University

A special STEM Saturday, Game Maker II, will be held for those students participating in the January Game Maker session. This program will take students a step further in the Alice programming with students creating characters and objects in a virtual (computer world) environment. Dr. Sophia Wang of Salisbury University will host students at the Henson Science Building on the SU campus on March 20th from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The day will include lunch and a short campus tour.

Saturday, March 20
Destination ImagiNation Instant Challenge Day
North Salisbury Elementary

Eastern Shore teams that qualified to advance to the April 10 State Finals for Destination ImagiNation (DI) will participate this Saturday in an Instant Challenge Day at North Salisbury Elementary to help team members prepare for the state competition. All elementary teams advancing to the State Finals, as well as teams from Salisbury Middle and Bennett Middle, will take the Instant Challenge from 8-10:30 a.m. Teams from James M. Bennett High, St. Michaels and St. Francis de Sales will meet from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact: Susan Bounds, DI coordinator, 443-783-1508.

March 9 Board Notes: Board Approves Proposed Budget, Dress Code, 2. ...

Wicomico County Board of Education — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:56:10 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 9, approved the following: Fiscal Year 2011 Proposed Consolidated Current Expense Budget, a new dress code, an increase in the GPA requirement to 2.0 for extracurricular and cocurricular activities, the movement of Delmar fifth-graders to Delmar Middle and High School next school year, and a change to the current school year calendar.

PROPOSED BUDGET

The Board of Education approved 5-1 the fiscal year 2011 Proposed Consolidated Current Expense Budget in the amount of $182,219,716, with $165,552,311 in the unrestricted portion of the budget and $16,667,405 in the Restricted Current Expense Budgets. The unrestricted portion of the budget is $254,242 less than the current year’s approved unrestricted budget. The fiscal year 2011 approved proposed budget will be posted under Quick Links at www.wcboe.org once the proposed budget has been submitted to the County Executive on March 15.

The proposed budget includes a request of $50,596,892 from Wicomico County, the amount needed to reach the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) level of funding that the state requires for any new state funding to be provided. (The MOE level is $184,819 less than the current year, due to a decline in the school system’s preliminary enrollment count.) Board members said they had an obligation on behalf of students to approve a budget based on Maintenance of Effort funding, even though the county has indicated that the school system can anticipate substantial cuts in funding this year.

Additions to the General Fund budget total $5.6 million, and would be limited to increases for fixed charges, increases to bus contract rates, establishing a budget for replacement of lamps for school digital projectors, impact of the new James M. Bennett High on utility bills, changing 1.25 Management Information Systems positions from grant funding to budgeted salaries, and various capital projects to keep schools operating in an effective and efficient manner.

These additions would be more than offset by nearly $5.9 million in budget reductions. The proposed reductions include eliminating the Adult Education Program and the Year Round Education Program at Delmar Elementary; shifting Delmar fifth-graders to Delmar Middle and High; converting Beyond the Limits from a program funded by the General Fund to a self-supporting enterprise fund; reclassifying, eliminating or not replacing 34 positions throughout the school system, primarily due to the Early Notification Program, but also due to program reductions; eliminating the merit incentive for classified employees; and curtailing funding of the OPEB GASB #45 Trust for future benefit costs for current employees.

Wicomico County Public Schools would also address current budget concerns by realigning existing budget dollars to cover items of greater need. These realignments total $1,176,917.

In approving the proposed budget for what is anticipated to be a very difficult budget year, the Board aligned budgeted items with the school system’s Bridge to Excellence Master Plan Strategic Priorities of High Student Achievement, Safe Learning Environment, and Effective and Efficient Operations.

DRESS CODE

A new Dress Code Policy will be in effect for Wicomico students when they return to school in August. The Board approved revisions to its Dress Code Policy at the March 9 meeting. The new policy, posted under Quick Links at www.wcboe.org , outlines what is acceptable and what is not for head coverings, tops, bottoms, outerwear, footwear, jewelry, piercings, perfumes, accessories, and appearance and language on clothing, symbols, tattoos and messages. Disciplinary guidelines for infractions of the Dress Code Policy are also covered. Not included in the approved policy, but available for any school considering school uniforms, are the Procedures for a School-Specific Consistent Attire Program (CAP).

NEW 2.0 GPA REQUIREMENT

The Board voted to raise the GPA (grade point average) Eligibility Requirement for Cocurricular and Extracurricular Activities from a 1.6 to a 2.0 GPA effective with the 2010-11 school year. The new policy on GPA Eligibility Requirement is posted under Quick Links at www.wcboe.org.

The Board asked staff to make sure that word of the change is immediately shared with secondary students and their parents/guardians because a student’s GPA in the 4th marking period of this school year will determine eligibility for fall sports, clubs, homecoming and other special activities.

“The last report card they receive this year is going to determine whether they can even try out for sports or other activities for the coming year,” Board Vice President L. Michelle Wright said. Students whose performance midway through the marking period (starting with the 4th marking period this year) shows them to be in jeopardy of losing eligibility will be notified.

Students who are declared ineligible will remain ineligible for at least half of the next marking period. It will be the student’s responsibility to request a GPA check halfway into the next marking period to determine if the student has regained eligibility.

Board members and people from the community who spoke in favor of the new 2.0 GPA requirement said the school system has a duty to see that students perform academically so the students are prepared for success after graduation. Tutoring will be available for students who do not meet the 2.0 GPA requirement. Approximately 1,000 Wicomico students whose GPA is 1.99 or lower would not be eligible to participate beginning in August 2010. “We want to bring them up rather than push them out,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said.

DELMAR FIFTH GRADE MOVING TO DELMAR MIDDLE AND HIGH

Officials from the Delmar School District joined the Wicomico County Board of Education Tuesday night to announce the joint decision to shift the fifth grade to Delmar Middle and High starting with the 2010-11 school year. The Wicomico Board of Education voted to modify the Bi-State Agreement with the Delmar School District so that approximately 137 students in Wicomico’s largest and most over capacity elementary school can spend their fifth-grade year across town to a wing in Delmar Middle and High, where space is available. The shift, which must still be approved by the Delmar Board of Education and state education officials in both states, will relieve overcrowding at Delmar Elementary, which has been serving nearly 1,000 students in a school with a state-rated capacity of 726. At the same time, the shift will keep fifth-graders within the tight-knit Delmar community that straddles the Maryland-Delaware state line.

2009-10 CALENDAR CHANGES

The Board voted to change the May 3 professional day into a school day with dismissal two hours early for students, followed by professional development time for teachers. This will allow the school system to make up an additional missed school day due to inclement weather.

Of the 12 days missed this winter, the school system has arranged to make up seven by changing professional days on March 1 and May 3 to early dismissal days for students, and by using the calendar’s approved makeup days from June 14-18 as school days. Wicomico will ask the state for a waiver of the remaining five missed days, and anticipates the state will grant that request, Dr. Fredericksen said.

Students and parents/guardians should note the following changes in the 2009-10 school calendar:

March 10: Mid-term reports distributed (originally scheduled for Feb. 26)
April 13: End of 3rd marking period (originally scheduled for March 30)
April 14: Beginning of 4th marking period (originally scheduled for April 6)
April 21: Report cards distributed (originally scheduled for April 13)
May 3: School day with dismissal two hours early (originally scheduled as a professional day for teachers)
May 14: Mid-term reports distributed (originally scheduled for May 7)
June 9-11: Regular school days (originally scheduled as early dismissal days)
June 14 and 15: Regular school days (added as makeup days due to inclement weather closings)
June 16, 17 and 18: School days with dismissal two hours early (added as makeup days due to inclement weather closings). June 18 is the last day of school for students.

At the March 9 meeting, the Board also:

MOMENT OF SILENCE

Observed a moment of silence in memory of Jatrae Renee Gibbs, a senior at Parkside High, and Greg Wright, a service worker at the Wicomico Early Learning Center.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Heard during public comments from three parents speaking about the benefits of the Magnet Program, and from the president of the School Bus Contractors Association, which would like to meet with the Board in a work session.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR UNIFIED SPORTS

Signed a memorandum of understanding with Special Olympics Maryland to create a model Unified Sports program that meets the spirit and intent of the Maryland Fitness and Athletics Equity for Students with Disability Law. All four Wicomico high schools will field a bocce ball team this spring with students both with and without disabilities. Practice will begin March 22.

POSTAGE METERS

Voted to utilize the state of Maryland contract with Neopost for a postage machine rental program for schools.

SALISBURY MIDDLE STIPENDS

Approved the payment of $1,500 state grant-funded Advanced Professional Certificate stipends to 41 teachers at Salisbury Middle School.

BENNETT MIDDLE REPLACEMENT PROJECT

Approved the schematic design for the Bennett Middle School Replacement Project for submission to the state; the schematic design will be posted on the Facility Services web page, with access from Quick Links at www.wcboe.org. The Board also approved $10,000 in additional services from Hord Coplan Macht to coordinate professional engineering services regarding a traffic study for the BMS replacement project.

JMB REPLACEMENT PROJECT CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS

Approved change orders totaling $43,358.78 on the James M. Bennett High School Replacement Project.

REPORTS

Approved the monthly personnel report for classified employees and budget transfers for March, and received for information the monthly report on competitive grant proposals and personnel matters for classified employees. Heard the annual report on the Horizons academic and enrichment program, and heard during the Superintendent’s Report that Wicomico is closely following Maryland’s Race to the Top grant application and legislation in Annapolis on funding and regulations.

MD Transit Administration Grant Narrative

Wicomico County Board of Education — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:53:05 -0500

Teams Advance to State DI Tournament After Winning in Eastern Region Tournament Feb. 27

Wicomico County Board of Education — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:47:55 -0500

From the Eastern Region Destination ImagiNation Tournament held Saturday at Salisbury Middle School, these teams are advancing to the Maryland DI State Tournament at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Catonsville on Saturday, April 10:

Challenge A: DIrect DIposit

Elementary Level
1st Place: Westside Intermediate School DI Crazie Dominators
2nd Place: North Salisbury School DI Mustangs

Secondary Level:
1st Place: James M. Bennett High School Orange Doesn't Rhyme

Challenge B: DI-Bot
Elementary Level:
1st Place: North Salisbury School Mission DIBots
2nd Place: North Salisbury School Super Geeks

Middle Level:
1st Place: St. Francis de Sales Wish Bones

Secondary Level:
1st Place: James M. Bennett High School Juvenile DI-linquents

Challenge C: You're Gonna Flip!
Elementary Level:
1st Place: Pemberton Elementary. School DIscovery
2nd Place: St. Francis de Sales DI Flipsters

Middle Level:
1st Place: Salisbury Middle School DIfferent
2nd Place: Bennett Middle School Giant Midgets

Senior Level:
1st Place: Mardela Middle and High School Sir Bob & The Freshmen

Challenge D: Do or DI
Elementary Level:
1st Place: St. Michaels Elementary DI'Donalds
2nd Place: North Salisbury DInamites 2

Middle Level:
1st Place: Salisbury Middle School DInamic Peeps
2nd Place: Mardela Middle and High School French Toast

Secondary Level:
1st Place: James M. Bennett High School Lost & DItched
2nd Place: St. Michaels HS Chalkboard Heroes
3rd Place: St. Michaels HS DIdn't Think Again
3rd Place: St. Michaels HS diBrows

Challenge E: Breaking DI News
Elementary Level:
1st Place: Westside Intermediate School News Wizards
2nd Place: Westside Intermediate School Flying Mustangs

Middle Level:
1st Place: Salisbury Middle School DI-Joes

Secondary Level:
1st Place: St. Michaels HS Outnumbered 6 to 1

Wicomico Schools fielded 28 competitive teams as well as nine DI Rising Stars teams of K-2 students who presented for the fun and experience but not for a score. Here is the placement for all teams from Wicomico County Public Schools.

Challenge A: DIrect DIposit
Elem. Level
1st Place: Westside Int. School DI Crazie Dominators
2nd Place: North Salisbury School DI Mustangs

Secondary Level:
1st Place: James M. Bennett High School Orange Doesn't Rhyme

Challenge B: DI-Bot
Elem. Level:
1st Place: North Salisbury School Mission DIBots
2nd Place: North Salisbury School Super Geeks
3rd Place: East Salisbury Raging Rockets
4th Place: Pinehurst DInamights

Secondary Level:
1st Place: James M. Bennett High School Juvenile DI-linquents

Challenge C: You're Gonna Flip!
Elem. Level:
1st Place: Pemberton Elem. School DIscovery
4th Place: Pinehurst Shadows
5th Place: North Salisbury Team X-Treme
6th Place: Westside Int. School Fantastic Flips

Middle Level:
1st Place: Salisbury Middle School DIfferent
2nd Place: Bennett Middle School Giant Midgets
4th Place: Wicomico Middle School DInomites
5th Place: Salisbury Middle School DIversity Peeps
6th Place: Bennett Middle School Power Penguins
8th Place: Mardela Middle / High School DIFrosters

Secondary Level:
1st Place: Mardela Middle / High School Sir Bob & The Freshmen

Challenge D: Do or DI
Elem. Level:
2nd Place: North Salisbury DInamites 2
3rd Place: East Salisbury Brainstormers

Middle Level:
1st Place: Salisbury Middle School DInamic Peeps
2nd Place: Mardela Middle / High School French Toast
6th Place: Pittsville Pandas

Secondary Level:
1st Place: James M. Bennett High School Lost & DItched

Challenge E: Breaking DI News
Elem. Level:
1st Place: Westside Int. School News Wizards
2nd Place: Westside Int. School Flying Mustangs

Middle Level:
1st Place: Salisbury Middle School DI-Joes

Rising Stars: Weighty News (non-competitive)
Fruitland Primary OTB
Pinehurst Elementary Brainstormers I
Fruitland Primary Cool Kids
Fruitland Primary Imagination Explorers
Fruitland Primary Flying Sharks
Pinehurst Elementary Brainstormers 2
Fruitland Primary Wiz Kids
Fruitland Primary Team Rule
Fruitland Primary Superkids

Board of Education, Superintendent Continue Work on Fiscal Year 2011 Budget

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:29:54 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education met with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen and his staff Tuesday, Feb. 2, to continue preparing the fiscal year 2011 budget. The Board must approve a budget for FY2011 (the budget year that runs from July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011) and submit the budget to the county by March 15. The Board of Education is also scheduled to hold budget work sessions from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Feb. 9, and at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, and Tuesday, Feb. 23. Click here to review the packet of information, including maintenance of effort calculations, a proposal to shift fifth grade from Delmar Elementary to Delmar Middle and High, projected revenue for FY2011, draft budget reductions, departmental expenditure realignments for next fiscal year, and approved FY2010 budget transfers.

CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS/CHANGES FOR WICOMICO COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:13:37 -0500

RESCHEDULED, BEAVER RUN ELEMENTARY PTA DINNER
The Beaver Run Elementary PTA Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show originally scheduled for Feb. 19 has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

RESCHEDULED, WICOMICO HIGH FASHION SHOW
The Wicomico High School fashion show that was scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 25, has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, in the auditorium.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL/MAKEUP DAYS
The Board affirmed at its meeting on Feb. 16 that closings due to inclement weather and poor road conditions on Dec. 21 and 22, Jan. 8, and Feb. 1 and 2 will be made up on the five days from Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18, in accordance with the approved school calendar for 2009-2010. (June 16, 17 and 18 will be early dismissal days.)

The school system will make up an additional missed day due to weather (Feb. 3) on March 1, which was scheduled as a professional day. March 1 will now be a half-day for students and a half-day testing preparation in-service for teachers.

State education officials have announced that school systems may apply for a waiver of up to 5 missed school days. In the near future, Dr. Fredericksen will discuss with the Board how to address the remaining missed days (including Feb. 25) for Wicomico students.

The calendar for this school year is still subject to change by weather closings and other factors.

RESCHEDULED, NORTH SALISBURY ELEMENTARY
Jump Rope for Heart at North Salisbury Elementary has been rescheduled from Friday, Feb. 26, to Friday, March 19.

RESCHEDULED, DELMAR ELEMENTARY TALENT SHOW
The Delmar Elementary School PTA Talent Show (scheduled for Feb. 18 and then Feb. 25) has been rescheduled for April 15.

CANCELED, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER INTERVIEWS
The substitute interview session scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25 has been canceled. Call 410-677-4542 for information.

RESCHEDULED, GLEN AVENUE PTA SPAGHETTI DINNER AND TALENT SHOW
The Glen Avenue Elementary Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show has been rescheduled for Friday, March 19 (originally scheduled for Feb. 26).

RESCHEDULED, NORTHWESTERN ELEMENTARY
The Northwestern Elementary PTA meeting (scheduled for Feb. 1, 8 and then 22) has been rescheduled for Monday, March 1at 6:30 p.m.

CANCELED, PARKSIDE CTE SKILLSUSA COMPETITION
The annual SkillsUSA Competition hosted by Parkside CTE (the Department of Career & Technology Education at Parkside High) was postponed twice and will now take place in the individual program areas as scheduled by instructors. Students in automotive technology, carpentry, collision repair, computer assisted drafting and design (CADD), computer network and repair, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, early childhood, electricity, electronics, firefighter/EMT, health occupations, high performance manufacturing, horticulture and turf management, HVAC, masonry, nursing assistant, plumbing and welding will showcase their skills during these competitions. Winners will go on to compete in the state SkillsUSA contest, and could even represent Wicomico at the national level. Last year, Wicomico sent several state winners to the national competition. All of the Wicomico students performed well in 2009 during the national competition. For information, please call Jim Maynard, SkillsUSA adviser, 410-677-5144.

CANCELED, FAMILY CENTER/STARS EVENT
The Family Center/STARS Barnes & Noble family night scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 18, has been canceled. A new date has not been scheduled yet.

CANCELED, NORTH SALISBURY ELEMENTARY SUB SALE
The sub sale for which pickup would have been on Feb. 9 has been canceled, and anyone who ordered will receive a refund.

POSTPONED, NORTH SALISBURY ELEMENTARY BLACK WAX MUSEUM
The Black Wax Museum put on by North Salisbury fourth-graders was postponed from its original Feb. 11 date and will be rescheduled.

CANCELED, PITTSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCE
Pittsville's Middle School Dance scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12, has been canceled.

POSTPONED, WORLD LANGUAGE WORKSHOP
Ruth Malone’s World Language Workshop, which was scheduled for 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Board, has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

CANCELED AGAIN, DESTINATION IMAGINATION INSTANT CHALLENGE DAY
The Destination ImagiNation (DI) Instant Challenge Day that was scheduled at Salisbury Middle School Feb. 6 and then rescheduled for Feb. 13 has been canceled. Teams are continuing to prepare for the DI Eastern Region Tournament that will be held at Salisbury Middle School Saturday, Feb. 27.

CANCELED, ALL SHORE CHORUS AUDITIONS
Due to inclement weather, the All Shore Chorus Auditions that were rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13, have been canceled. No future date has been set. Chorus designations will be made by a predetermined process set forth by the Executive Committee and the All Shore Chairpersons.

POSTPONED, BENNETT MIDDLE DANCE
Bennett Middle PTA's Winter Dance scheduled for Friday Feb. 12 has been postponed to a later date to be determined.

RESCHEDULED, FRUITLAND PRIMARY
Fruitland Primary School's Jump Rope for Heart Event (scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12) has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 26.

POSTPONED, WICOMICO EARLY LEARNING CENTER
The Feb. 11 Sonic fund-raiser night for the Wicomico Early Learning Center has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

RESCHEDULED, SALISBURY MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Salisbury Middle School parent-teacher basketball game will be rescheduled.

POSTPONED, PITTSVILLE MCDONALD'S SPIRIT NIGHT
The Pittsville Elementary and Middle McDonald's Spirit Night that was scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 4 and rescheduled for Feb. 11 has been postponed and will be rescheduled.

POSTPONED, MARDELA MIDDLE AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY FAIR
The Mardela Middle and High School Technology Festival that was scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 11, has been rescheduled for Thursday, March 4.

ON AS SCHEDULED: HIGH PERFORMING LEARNERS COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:44:08 -0500

The Superintendent's Advisory Committee on High Performing Learners will meet as scheduled from 6-8 tonight at the Board of Education. Given the changes in family schedules due to school being closed earlier in the day, it's understandable if some committee members are not able to attend, but it was important to keep the committee moving forward in its work.

REMINDER: Monday, March 1 is Now a Half-Day for Students

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:58:58 -0500

The school system will make up a school day missed due to weather (Feb. 3) on Monday, March 1, which was scheduled as a professional day. March 1 will now be a half-day for students, with students dismissed two hours early, and a half-day testing preparation in-service for teachers.

The Board affirmed at its meeting on Feb. 16 that earlier closings due to inclement weather and poor road conditions on Dec. 21 and 22, Jan. 8, and Feb. 1 and 2 will be made up on the five days from Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18, in accordance with the approved school calendar for 2009-2010. (June 16, 17 and 18 will be half-days.)

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen and other local superintendents met last Friday with State Superintendent Dr. Nancy Grasmick to discuss recent weather closings, which have affected the entire state. A state announcement is anticipated today. Dr. Fredericksen will discuss with the Board how to address the remaining missed days following that announcement.

The calendar for this school year is still subject to change by weather closings and other factors.

Board of Education Seeks Comment on Draft Dress Code Policy

Wicomico County Board of Education — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:23:26 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education is taking public comment on a comprehensive revision of its dress code policy. The Board approved the draft policy on first reading at its Feb. 16 meeting, and is scheduled to hold a second and final vote at the March 9 Board meeting.

The draft policy is posted on the home page of the school system web site at www.wcboe.org, under Links. Comments may be made at any time by clicking on the envelope icon at the top of the page or by e-mailing comments@wcboe.org. Comments can also be left in a voicemail message at 410-677-5251.

The existing dress code policy, which is printed in most student agendas and the Values Calendar and posted at www.wcboe.org under Board of Education/Policies, dates to 1997. It is brief and to the point but is often open to interpretation because it is not always specific about what student attire is allowed and what isn’t, said Cathy Townsend, School Climate Coordinator for Wicomico County Public Schools.

The draft dress code that will be considered for final approval in March is detailed and eliminates the grey areas of the existing policy. Townsend has held meetings since last fall to craft the draft policy with administrators, teachers, parents and guardians, and students. Many of those who have offered comment so far have said they appreciate how clearly the draft policy states what is acceptable for school attire, and what isn’t.

The draft policy has sections detailing the guidelines for head coverings, tops, bottoms, outerwear, footwear, and extras including jewelry, piercings, perfumes and accessories. The draft dress code also covers appearance, language on clothing, symbols, tattoos and messages. Consequences for violations of the dress code policy are also spelled out.

The draft dress code policy includes a section on Procedures for School-Specific Consistent Attire Program, i.e. school uniforms, so that both schools and families know what procedures a school would follow to establish a uniform policy.

Notes from the Feb. 16 Meeting of the Board of Education

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:53:32 -0500

Notes from the Feb. 16 Monthly Meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 16:

2009-10 Calendar Revisions

Affirmed that June 14-18 will now be school days because the school system needed all five makeup days built onto the end of the 2009-10 calendar, and approved turning the March 1 professional day into a half-day of instruction for students and a half-day testing preparation in-service for teachers. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said he and other school system superintendents will meet with State Superintendent Dr. Nancy Grasmick Friday to talk about a number of issues including the recent missed days due to winter weather. He will discuss the five remaining missed days (Feb. 8-12) with the Board once he’s heard what the state plans to do. He thanked families for their patience in dealing with school closings, and thanked school system facilities staffers, as well as the county and city, for their snow removal efforts on behalf of schools.

2010-11 Calendar Finalized

Approved a revised calendar for 2010-11 with commencement ceremonies on May 31, 2011, for Mardela High, June 1 for Wicomico High, June 2 for James M. Bennett High, and June 3 for Parkside High. A majority of students, parents and guardians, and staff members preferred having each high school graduate on its own day instead of having the three city high schools all graduate on Saturday. The final 2010-11 calendar is posted at www.wcboe.org.

Dress Code

Approved on first reading a revised dress code policy for students. The revised policy is on the Board’s web site at www.wcboe.org for public comment prior to a final vote at the March 9 Board meeting. Comments may be made by e-mailing to comments@wcboe.org or leaving a message at 410-677-5251. Revisions to this policy began last fall with numerous opportunities for input from staff, parents and guardians, and students, said Cathy Townsend, School Climate Coordinator. Meetings held with the Student Government Associations of each high school yielded valuable input. The draft policy is comprehensive and clear, Board member Ronald Willey said, removing grey areas and the need for interpretation. Townsend said that if the draft policy is approved in March, she will immediately begin to work on an implementation timeline to ensure that all students and families know the new rules before enforcement of the new policy takes effect with the start of the 2010-11 school year.

New JMB to Open August 2010

Heard from Director of Facility Services Brian Foret that the new James M. Bennett High School building will be substantially complete and ready to open in August 2010. This is a full year ahead of the originally scheduled occupancy date. There will be ongoing construction to demolish the old school, manage new traffic patterns, work on parking lots, and complete the renovation of the auditorium, but the school will be ready for instruction. “It’s an enormous undertaking but I know at this point that we can do it,” said Foret, who informed the Board of the new schedule only after consultation with contractors, architects and other colleagues. A city project to upgrade the intersection at Bateman Street and South Division Street is still in the works, and the James M. Bennett High project will not be entirely finished until a new Bennett Middle is built in Fruitland and the old Bennett Middle is demolished to allow the high school full use of the site.

Moment of Silence

Observed a moment of silence in memory of Wicomico High School history teacher Richard Seay and retired custodian James Garris.

Superintendent’s Report

Heard from Superintendent Fredericksen that:

- H1N1 vaccine is still available by calling the Health Department at 410-543-6943.
- he was pleased to have in attendance Eugene Warner, director of the Excel Academy at the Salvation Army for students in need of an alternative setting to find success in school.
- now is peak time for the shaping of Maryland General Assembly legislation on student performance, funding, negotiations, and unfunded and underfunded mandates.
- Wicomico is continuing to evaluate details of Maryland’s Race to the Top grant application, which could bring funds to low-performing schools in participating counties throughout the state.
- the Grade Point Average (GPA) Committee will meet again to make recommendations based on policy revisions the Board approved on first reading in January.
- the staff of Wicomico County Public Schools and the Board are continuing to work on the fiscal 2011 budget that must be submitted to the county by March 15. The budget will be built on a level of maintenance of effort funding to meet the Board’s legal and educational responsibilities.
- the results are in from the school climate survey taken by many staff members, parents and guardians, and students last fall. Principals and instructional leadership team chairs will receive their school’s data, with three strengths and three recommended areas to work on, at a meeting next week. Board member Robin Holloway urged that members of the public have an opportunity to see the results of the survey in which they participated.

Reports

Received for information the monthly personnel report for classified employees and the monthly report on competitive grant proposals, and approved the monthly personnel report for certificated employees and February budget transfers. The Board also settled on a schedule for Board members to present diplomas at the 2010 commencement exercises.

Public Comments

Heard from Ben Brumbley, president of the Wicomico County Council of PTAs, that the James M. Bennett High Rock & Roll Revival (sponsored by the JMB PTSA and continuing Feb. 19-21) is a great success, and that the next WCCPTAs meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Board. He also questioned the decision to resume school after a two-hour delay Tuesday given that he had heard of a number of transportation problems because of snow-covered roads. Another speaker brought to the Board’s attention issues with snow removal at Willards Elementary.

MABE Memberships

Voted not to continue the practice of paying for Maryland Association of Boards of Education associate memberships for former Wicomico Board members who wish to remain active in the organization. Usually three or four former Board members request the MABE associate membership, which costs $25 per person per year.

National Board Certification Stipend

Accepted from the state a $27,000 grant from which to pay stipends to Wicomico teachers who have earned prestigious National Board Certification. Stipends will go to Jane Long, Donald Abbatiello, Ronna Bievenour, Christy Briggs, Kristen Briggs, Kathy Cordrey, Barbara Culver, Melinda Demaris, Julie Dill, Cheryl Doughty, Vicki Ewalt, Gretchen Foust, Mark Garlock, Abbie Goebel, Tracy Hayes, Dana Hetzler, Kelly Kaiser, Elizabeth McQuown, Valerie Oliphant, Jessica Payne, Jennifer Phillips, Bettina Postles, Debra Riley, Lisa Santore, Elaine Tilghman and Nicole Twilley.

Book Approved

Approved the addition of the book “The Juvie Three” by Gordon Korman to the Middle School Approved Literature List, making it possible for Bennett Middle to use the book in its “One School, One Book” challenge this year.

Honors Designation

Approved a change from the term “CM” (Certificate of Merit) for some academically rigorous high school courses to Honors, a more commonly understood term. Students will register this spring for Honors courses for 2010-11.

Policy Rescinded

Rescinded a 34-year-old policy on construction retainage. State law has changed over the years and now supersedes the Board policy. The Board also approved a reduction in the retainage withheld on the JMB High School project from 10 percent to 5 percent, in accordance with the contract.

School Bus Replacement Schedule

Approved the school bus replacement schedule for fiscal year 2011. The Transportation Office recommended approval to replace 12 buses completing 12 years of service, and four buses less than 12 years of service that will replace paid spare buses.

GASB #45 Trustees

Reappointed Ed Taylor and Carl Vincent as trustees to three-year terms on the GASB #45 Retirement Plan Investment Trustees.

Haiti Relief Outreach by Wicomico County Public Schools

Wicomico County Board of Education — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:15:09 -0500

The students, families and staff members of Wicomico County Public Schools have given generously to relieve the suffering in Haiti following the recent earthquake. Below is a school-by-school listing of the many casual days, coin drives, supply collections and other efforts.

Beaver Run Elementary
American Red Cross: The school is participating in raising funds for the American Red Cross.

Bennett Middle School
BMS has raised $1,212 through various efforts.
Hats for Haiti: On Jan. 22 and Feb. 5, students donate $1 for the privilege of wearing a hat.
Hershey’s for Haiti Jan. 29: Students donated $1 and receive a Hershey's Kiss as a thank you.
Cafeteria Collection: Through Feb. 11, students have the opportunity to donate during lunch shifts. The Student Government Association and English Language Learner (ELL) students are helping at the collection table. Both groups have also made posters promoting the cause.
Advisory classes: Many advisory classes have researched and/or discussed the crisis in Haiti.
Social Studies Classes: Various Service Learning Projects
Teresa Parrott, ELL teacher: Mrs. Parrott has worked closely with Haitian students and community resources to find out information on family members still in Haiti. When the news has been bad, guidance counselors Robin Harmon and Charlene Creese have set up counseling for affected students.
Casual Day: The school will give a total Casual Day donation by Feb. 12.

Central Office
Souper Bowl celebration: The Central Office Social Committee coordinated a Souper Bowl celebration Thursday, Feb. 4. Employees could pay $6 for a cup of soup, sandwich, dessert and drink. Half of that contribution went to the American Red Cross to benefit Haiti relief. Approximately 83 people signed up to participate.

Charles H. Chipman Elementary
Staff Casual Day: $230 was donated to missionaries Tom and Bev Brumbley of Evangelistic World Outreach; the Brumbleys run a school in Haiti.
Penny collection: The school is doing a penny collection through Feb. 13, with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross.

Choices Program
Staff Casual Day: Choices participated in a staff casual day on Jan. 15, with 100% participation from the 22 staff members. The casual day raised $135.

Delmar Elementary
Coins for Haiti: A Coins for Haiti collection drive is being done by the entire school, through Feb. 5.
Day of fasting: Staff members participated in a day of fasting on Jan. 28 to replicate the suffering that is being felt in Haiti.
Health Kits: The school is collecting items to assemble health kits for Haiti.

East Salisbury Elementary
Coins for Haiti: East Salisbury will send students home with a letter & a zippered plastic bag to give students and their families a chance to place coins in the bag and return it to school. Casual Day: East Salisbury will have a staff casual day Feb. 5, with funds going to missionaries Tom and Bev Brumbley of Evangelistic World Outreach; the Brumbleys run a school in Haiti.

Fruitland Intermediate
Maryland Kids Care: Fruitland Intermediate will be participating in Maryland Kids Care. The guidance counselor will work with the Student Government Association on a student-led fundraiser.
Casual Day: Proceeds from a recent casual day were sent to the American Red Cross.

Fruitland Primary
Casual Day: A staff casual day was held Jan. 29.
Coin collection: Students have been taking home empty zippered plastic bags and returning them filled with coins and bills. This effort will continue until Feb. 12.
Support for Brumbley Haiti Relief: Fruitland Primary is collecting items for the school supply run to Haiti on behalf of missionaries Tom and Bev Brumbley of Evangelistic World Outreach; the Brumbleys run a school in Haiti.

Glen Avenue Elementary
Support for Brumbley Haiti Relief: Each homeroom is currently collecting pennies and loose change. One day in February the student council will have a "Hearts for Haiti" day, with all participating students paying 10 cents and wearing red. All monies collected will go to missionaries Tom and Bev Brumbley of Evangelistic World Outreach; the Brumbleys run a school in Haiti.

James M. Bennett High
Maryland Kids Care Campaign – Operation Haiti: The school is participating in this statewide campaign to collect donations for the American Red Cross and its 2010 Haiti Relief and Development Fund.

Mardela Middle and High
UNICEF Collection: Melody Wilkins’ middle school class raised $99.64 for UNICEF.
American Red Cross: When school resumes, Patti Luckett’s French class will begin collecting donations for the American Red Cross.

North Salisbury Elementary
American Red Cross: Fifth-grade magnet students are currently sponsoring a coin campaign to donate the funds to the American Red Cross. Students were asked to bring in coins in socks and an administrator visits the classrooms each day using a shopping cart donated for use by Target. The cart is decorated to show "Hearts for Haitian Relief Efforts," and students look forward to giving their donations. Many students have reached into their pockets and given their ice cream or snack money to help other children, which is commendable. This campaign will continue until Feb. 12.
School and health supplies: Third-grade magnet students will begin a campaign to collect donated items from students geared specifically to helping the children affected by the disaster. This campaign is being led by a student who spoke to each class and asked students to bring in items like old toys, school supplies, and health supplies in old backpacks, so the children in Haiti will have something in which to carry the donated materials.
Staff donations: Staff members have made monetary donations as well; they are currently bringing in donated items to help sponsor programs coordinated by missionaries Tom and Bev Brumbley of Evangelistic World Outreach; the Brumbleys run a school in Haiti.

Northwestern Elementary
Staff casual day: Northwestern held a staff casual day on Jan. 29 to support missionaries Bev and Tom Brumbley and the Evangelistic World Outreach Ministries Brumbley School project. Coin drive: The school will hold a Hope for Haiti coin drive through Feb. 12. Proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross Relief Fund.

Parkside High
Casual day: Parkside held a staff casual day Jan. 15 and collected $648 for Haiti relief. Another casual day may be coordinated by the Student Government Association, and a staff casual day later this school year will support missionaries Bev and Tom Brumbley and the Evangelistic World Outreach Ministries Brumbley School project.

Pemberton Elementary
Coin collection: The school has placed jugs in the classrooms to receive coin donations from students and families for Haiti.
Casual day: Proceeds from a staff casual day on Jan. 28 are designated for Evangelistic World Outreach and the Brumbley School project.

Pinehurst Elementary
American Red Cross: Students, parents and guardians, and staff donated to the Haiti Relief efforts, and the school presented a check to the American Red Cross for $1,781.31. This was the largest single donation from an organization that the Lower Shore Red Cross has received to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Pittsville Elementary and Middle
Casual day: A staff casual day was held Jan. 22, with proceeds donated to missionaries Bev and Tom Brumbley and the Evangelistic World Outreach Ministries Brumbley School project.

Prince Street Elementary
Casual day: The staff will have a casual day for Haiti relief in February.
Coin collection: Students will participate this month in the Maryland Kids Care Campaign – Operation Haiti, bringing in coins from home for the 2010 Haiti Relief and Development Fund of the American Red Cross.

Salisbury Middle
Supplies: Salisbury Middle School has been collecting nonperishable items and clothing for Haiti relief.
Donations: The school plans to engage students in collecting and donating money for Haiti relief. .

West Salisbury Elementary
Help4Haiti: West Salisbury is doing a "Help 4 Haiti" campaign among students, staff and families. This includes casual days on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5. Donations will also be accepted from students and families.

Westside Intermediate
Crisis Care Kits: The Westside Intermediate Elementary National Honor Society and school are putting together Crisis Care Kits that will be delivered to Compassionate Ministries, working with Cross Pointe Church of the Nazarene.

Westside Primary
Coin drive: Westside Primary is conducting a coin/currency drive through Feb. 12. Students are bringing coins in plastic baggies and emptying them into a large jug.
Casual days: Westside Primary staff members will participate in two casual days to raise additional money for Haiti relief.

Wicomico High School
American Red Cross: The school is supporting the American Red Cross. Each class is making a monetary donation. The senior class has committed $500.
Crayons: Students in Susan Ward’s English classes donated enough money to purchase 80 boxes of crayons for the children in Haiti to use in counseling as they cope with the trauma of the earthquake.

Wicomico Middle School
Casual day: The staff held a casual day Jan. 22 to benefit the American Red Cross.

Willards Elementary
Coin collection: Students are participating in the Maryland Kids Care Campaign – Operation Haiti, with proceeds going to the 2010 Haiti Relief and Development Fund of the American Red Cross.
Donations: Donations are also being made to support the work of missionaries Bev and Tom Brumbley and the Evangelistic World Outreach Ministries Brumbley School project.

Wicomico Early Learning Center
Casual days: Staff members are paying to dress casual during two different weeks (Jan. 25-29, when students were off for two days, and the four-day President’s Day week Feb. 16-19). Proceeds will support the work of missionaries Bev and Tom Brumbley and the Evangelistic World Outreach Ministries Brumbley School project.

Parenting Matters: Raising Successful Children

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:03:39 -0500

Looking for tips on how to help your children succeed academically and socially – in school and in the community? Join the MD PIRC and the Eastern Shore Regional Advisory Committee for an exciting, wonderful and FREE event for parents and family members (see flyer).

The Eastern Shore's second Parenting Matters: Raising Successful Children conference will be held Saturday, March 6, 2010 at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, MD. Child care, programming for kids and youth, and breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost.

The conference is being held at Wor-Wic Community on Saturday March 6, 8:15 am – 3:00 pm. Special features of the conference include: ‘Raising Successful Learners in Elementary School' workshop led by Wicomcio County Teachers of the Year Debbie Wilkins and Susan Cullen; One Stop Job Market Mobile Van; and Paying for College seminar.

In addition, there will be door prizes for families, a Youth Leadership Academy with fun, learning activities for youth (ages 6-14), Spanish language interpreters for parents, and special music for the opening session by Wicomico County's very own -- The Edgeucators.

Remember, the conference is free (with breakfast, lunch, childcare, youth activities). But registration is required (for seminars, childcare, and the youth leadership academy). To register, click on: www.mdpirc.org/conference/March6.

For further information or assistance, call Faye Wilson (410) 677-4529 or email her at fwilson@wcboe.org.

Changes to 2009-2010 School Year Due to Snow Days Days

Wicomico County Board of Education — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:24:04 -0500

Closings due to inclement weather and poor road conditions on Dec. 21 and 22, Jan. 8, and Feb. 1 and 2 will be made up on the five days from Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18, in accordance with the approved school calendar for 2009-2010. June 16, 17 and 18 will be early dismissal days.

The Board will discuss how to make up the additional snow days on Feb. 3 and 8. The calendar for this school year is still subject to change by weather closings and other factors.

Board of Education Defers Redistricting Recommendation

Wicomico County Board of Education — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:37:47 -0500

The Board of Education received and discussed several options from the Superintendent’s Redistricting Task Force at its work session on Tuesday, January 26, 2010. The options included changing boundaries that could affect up to 226 students in elementary schools. The options showed potential changes that could occur if magnet-type high performance learning was offered in all intermediate schools or remained in the current centers.

The Board deferred action upon receiving the recommendation from Superintendent Fredericksen to delay the process until after the Superintendent’s High Performance Learners Task Force had an opportunity to meet to determine what changes or expansion of program would best serve Wicomico’s high performance learners.

The primary goal of the Redistricting Task Force was to help ensure that all school buildings have optimum capacity of 90- 95% with no school more than 5% over capacity (based on the State-Rated Building Capacity). In the school system, several buildings are over capacity and a few schools are under capacity.

The Task Force looked at the possibility of changes in capacity based on residential home sales and examined ways to improve balance by ethnicity and for the numbers of students receiving free and reduced meals (FARM). No changes were proposed for the boundaries for middle and high schools; the optimum capacity rates could be met or maintained through current enrollment processes.

The Redistricting Task Force met for three months and was composed of nearly 30 parents, community members, and staff persons.

Notes from the Jan. 12 Meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education

Wicomico County Board of Education — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:03:34 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12, voted on first reading to raise the minimum GPA for extracurricular activities to 2.0 starting next school year, approved most of the calendar for the 2010-11 school year, and adopted a plan to pilot bocce in high schools this spring in cooperation with Special Olympics Maryland.

The Board heard a number of public comments Tuesday about the proposal to raise the minimum grade point average (GPA) for participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities from the current 1.6 to 1.85 next school year, and 2.0 the year after that. A number of speakers urged the Board to raise the standard to 2.0 for next school year and said students would rise to the challenge. Others endorsed the interim step of 1.85 next school year, saying that students would benefit from time to meet the new standard for participation. Others asked the Board not to further limit eligibility for extracurricular activities because of the benefits all students receive from participation in activities beyond the classroom.

Following its own discussion on the issue, the Board voted 4-3 against the plan to step from 1.6 to 1.85 to 2.0, then voted 5-2 on first reading to raise the minimum GPA to 2.0 starting with the 2010-11 school year. A second and final vote on the 2.0 GPA proposal is anticipated at the Feb. 9 Board meeting. If the 2.0 minimum GPA is approved on second reading, students would need a 2.0 GPA in the 4th marking period of this school year to be eligible for sports and other extracurricular activities such as dances and clubs – this August.

The Board approved the 2010-11 school calendar with the exception of commencement dates. The Board said it wants further input on the proposal to hold all four commencement ceremonies at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, with Mardela High School students graduating on Friday, June 3, and ceremonies for the three in-town high schools at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 4. Scheduling commencement ceremonies for two days instead of four would save approximately $2,500. Some speakers advocated not changing the tradition of having each school’s ceremony on a different day. Comments about commencement for 2011 may be made to comments@wcboe.org or to 410-677-4421. The Board will approve commencement dates at an upcoming meeting.

The 2010-11 school year will begin Monday, Aug. 30 and end June 10, 2011. Students will be off Nov. 24-26 for the Thanksgiving break, Dec. 23-Jan. 2 for the winter holidays (schools reopen Jan. 3), and April 21-25 for the spring holidays. June 8, 9 and 10 will be early dismissal days.

Schools will also be closed Sept. 6 (Labor Day), Sept. 14 (Primary Election), Oct. 15 (MSTA Convention), Nov. 2 (General Election), Jan. 17 (Martin Luther King Birthday), Feb. 21 (Presidents Day) and May 30 (Memorial Day). Schools will be closed for students (but open for teachers) for professional days on Oct. 18, Jan. 24 and 25, Feb. 28 and May 2.

In other business, the Board voted to go forward with a pilot bocce (lawn bowling) athletic program in all four high schools this spring, in cooperation with Special Olympics Maryland. Under the Maryland Fitness and Athletics Equity for Students with Disabilities Act, all Maryland school systems must provide appropriate and meaningful athletic opportunities to students with disabilities by July 1, 2011. Launching bocce teams in the four high schools this spring, with funding and other support from Special Olympics Maryland, will be a first step toward meeting that deadline and will allow Wicomico to meet a May 15, 2010 deadline to report on its progress to the Maryland General Assembly.

The bocce teams will have eight athletes, evenly divided between students with and without disabilities, an approach the Special Olympics calls Unified Sports. Special Olympics Maryland will fund the Wicomico pilot through a federal grant, providing stipends for a Unified Sports coordinator for the bocce season, coaches at the four high schools, uniforms, equipment, transportation, and a state championship event in May. Other sports that provide the opportunity for meaningful competition for both athletes with and without disabilities include team track and field, team aquatics, team powerlifting, bowling and team tennis.

In other business, the Board:

PUBLIC COMMENT

Heard from a parent from the Advocates for Accelerated Learners who said the Magnet centers are the best option for educating high-performing learners, and another parent who said the community might want to consider a charter school for high-performing students.

REPORT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Heard from Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen that:

Anyone seeking H1N1 vaccine can contact the Health Department at 410-543-6943.

The 2010 Maryland General Assembly will convene on Wednesday, Jan. 20, and key issues this session will likely include legislation on maintenance of effort funding, student performance, underfunded and unfunded mandates, and budget.

Wicomico has been invited to express interest in joining Maryland’s application for federal Race to the Top funding of $150-$200 million to target the lowest performing schools and student subgroups.

The Redistricting Task Force had begun moving school boundary lines and will meet two nights next week to develop a redistricting proposal that could be shared with the Board Jan. 22 and discussed at the Board work session Jan. 26. Comments may be made at any time at 410-677-5251 or comments@wcboe.org.

Wicomico will appeal to the Board of Public Works on Jan. 20 for almost $3 million in state funding needed to finish the James M. Bennett High School project. The Maryland Interagency Committee on Public School Construction has recommended $7 million in state funding for fiscal 2011, but nearly $10 million is needed. Wicomico may know next month whether the building can be done in time to open in August 2010, a full year ahead of schedule.

Results of the school climate survey done last fall will arrive next week. The school system will then review the results and data to begin planning next steps.

A proposed revision of the dress code is posted on the web site at www.wcboe.org and input is being taken at comments@wcboe.org.

A firm and appropriate response is being made to recent student misbehavior.

Negotiations on the Bi-State Agreement with the Delmar School District will begin Friday.

The school system continues to work on the capital budget with the County Executive, with the goal of securing funding for the Bennett Middle School project. In other budget news, the Board has received for consideration Tiers I and II of the superintendent’s proposed budget reduction for fiscal 2011, and four additional tiers of reductions have been drafted. The Board will hold a budget input session to receive public comments for the fiscal 2011 budget process at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, in the Wicomico High School Auditorium.

The staffs of Wicomico Middle School, East Salisbury Elementary and Beaver Run Elementary, as well as support staff from the school system and staff from the Wicomico County Health Department, responded very well to the tragedy of Sarah Foxwell during the winter holidays, and will continue to support students and staff members as needed.

Wicomico can be proud of 2009 James M. Bennett High graduate Derek Wu, now a freshman at Princeton University, who because of his community and academic achievements will represent his country as a 2010 Olympic Torchbearer.

The First Lego League Regional Tournament held at Salisbury Middle School Jan. 9 was a great success, with three Eastern Shore teams moving on to the state competition.

GRANTS REPORT

Received for information the latest update of the 2009-10 grants report and updated information on 2008-09 grants. In 2008-09, Wicomico County Public Schools applied for almost $3.6 million in grants and received $2.9 million, an 80.1 % success rate. So far this school year, Wicomico Schools have applied for $2,039,140 in grants and received $1.9 million, a 93 % success rate. Dr. Fredericksen said Wicomico has also been invited to participate with lead applicant Anne Arundel County Public Schools on a state STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) grant, as well as a grant for arts instruction in Maryland schools.

REPORTS

Approved the monthly report of personnel matters for certificated employees, received for information the monthly personnel report for classified employees, and approved January 2010 budget transfers within category in the amount of $2,870.

CONTRACT EXTENSION

Authorized a five-year voluntary contract extension with Sunesys LLC for the Board of Education’s Managed Leased Lit Fiber Wide Area Network.

REFLECTIONS ART RECEPTION

Heard from Ben Brumbley, president of the Wicomico County Council of PTAs, that the Reflections Art Reception will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, at the Parkside High Auditorium.

Wicomico Students, Teachers, Staff Members, Schools Honored at Jan. ...

Wicomico County Board of Education — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:01:11 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education honored students, teachers and other staff members, and schools during its Jan. 19 Awards & Recognitions Night, held at North Salisbury Elementary School.

Highlights from this event will be aired on the school system’s cable show on PAC 14 (Comcast Channel 14), “Working Together for Children.” Photos from the event will be posted at www.wcboe.org.

The Board presented the following recognitions:

Maryland Blue Ribbon School

To Northwestern Elementary School and its principal, Kirby Bryson, and other staff members, in celebration of the school being named a 2010 Maryland Blue Ribbon School. State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick announced on Dec. 15 that Northwestern Elementary is one of six public schools selected as 2010 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. Northwestern was recognized as a school of Sustained Improvement and High Achievement.

2009 Operation SPEAK Oratorical Competition

To the top three winners in the Dec. 15 Operation SPEAK (Stimulate, Prepare & Encourage Articulate Kids) oratorical competition held Dec. 15 at Prince Street Elementary for students from three Title I schools, Prince Street, Glen Avenue and East Salisbury elementary schools.

3rd place, Justin Tull, East Salisbury Elementary
2nd place, Erica Kelly, Prince Street Elementary
1st place, Mariah Williams, Prince Street Elementary

All-State Music Ensembles

To seven Wicomico students who were selected through an audition for one of the 2010 Maryland All-State Musical Performing Groups. Thousands of candidates audition each year and only a small percentage of those students is selected for the honor and for the performances that will be held during the Maryland Music Educators Conference.

Melissa A. Caton, 9th grade, James M. Bennett High School, Alto, alternate, 2010 Maryland All State Junior Chorus (Choral Director - Mr. Charles Reavis)
Trisha M. Lagowski, 12th grade, James M. Bennett High School, soprano 1, 2010 All State Senior Mixed Chorus (Choral Director - Mr. Reavis)
Emily F. Morris, 12th grade, James M. Bennett High School, soprano 2, 2010 All State Senior Mixed Chorus (Choral director - Mr. Reavis)
Paul D. Gray III, 9th grade, Parkside High School, tenor, 2010 Maryland All State Junior Chorus (Choir Director - Ms. Sarah McCabe)
Megan T. Outten, 11th grade, Parkside High School, alto, 2010 All State Senior Mixed Chorus (Choral Director - Ms. McCabe)
Taylor L. Brady, 12th grade, Parkside High School, alto, 2010 All State Senior Mixed Chorus (Choral Director - Ms. McCabe)
Amanda J. Fodor, 12th grade, Parkside High School, French horn, 2010 Maryland All State Senior Orchestra (Band Director - Mr. Kevin Zaczkiewicz)

ACC Tournament of Bands Competition

For qualifying for and participating in the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament of Bands, Band Director Douglas Miles and the James M. Bennett Marching Band. The James M. Bennett High School “Clipper” Marching Band and Color Guard’s 2009 Field Show was titled: “MYSTery”. At the ACC competition, the JMB Band was a Bronze Medal Finalist and earned 13th Place in Group III competition, with a score of 87.5. This is the highest placement and score the Bennett Band has ever received at ACCs in the six years it has qualified to attend.

For qualifying for and participating in the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament of Bands,
Band Director Kevin Zaczkiewicz and the Parkside High School Marching Band. The Parkside Marching Rams 2009 field show was entitled “Criminal Mischief.” At ACCs, the Marching Rams finished in 8th place with a score of 93.00. This is the highest score in their Tournament of Bands competitive history.

2009 Ikea Thanksgiving Day Parade Participants

To the following students who were selected from an audition at the ACC Tournament of Bands Competition for the 2009 Tournament of Bands All-Star Band and Color Guard, and who marched with that band and color guard in the 2009 Ikea Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia:

Tyler Harrington, Parkside High School senior, trombone (Band director Kevin Zaczkiewicz)
Molly Potvin, James M. Bennett High School sophomore, clarinet (Band Director Douglas Miles)
Morgan Phillips, JMB High School senior, color guard (Band Director Mr. Miles)
Tyler Andrew, JMB High School senior, color guard (Band Director Mr. Miles)

Eastern Shore High School Mathematics Competition

To Chong Zhou of James M. Bennett High School for placing third in the Eastern Shore High School Mathematics Competition, sponsored by Delmarva Power and Salisbury University’s Department of Mathematics & Computer Science.

To Kaye Reichenberg of James M. Bennett High School for the team's third-place finish in the Eastern Shore High School Mathematics Competition.

Wendy’s High School Heisman Award

To the Wicomico students selected as school winners or state finalist for the 2009 Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. This award, in conjunction with the collegiate Heisman, celebrates the achievements of the nation's top high school seniors, both in and out of the classroom. To be eligible for this award, students must display academic aptitude, athletic talent and exceptional commitment to their communities.

School Winners:
Jon Webster, Parkside High School
Meagan Bratcher, Wicomico High School

State Finalist and School Winner:
Rachel McCain, Parkside High School

National AP Scholar

To Michael Tilghman of Parkside High School, for being selected to receive the National Advanced Placement Scholar Award. The title of National AP Scholar is granted to students in the United States who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. He is also a commended student under the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships for high school students taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Maryland General Assembly Page Program

To the Wicomico students selected to serve as pages in the 2010 Maryland General Assembly Page Program. Pages from throughout the state work for two non-consecutive weeks at the State House in Annapolis and are assigned to either the House of Delegates or the Senate and perform duties such as run errands, distribute materials on the floor, and obtain additional legislative materials as necessary

Caroline Hutchison, Wicomico High School
Michael C. Tilghman, Parkside High School
Shelby Bartemy, Parkside High School, alternate

VFW Post 2996/District VFW Teacher of the Year

To Alexan Dargan, a teacher at Beaver Run Elementary School, for being chosen as the VFW Post 2996 Teacher of the Year and for being named the District VFW Teacher of the Year. She has been an employee for Wicomico County Public Schools for eight years as a first -grade teacher at Beaver Run Elementary.

Giant Teachers of the Month

To the following teachers selected during this school year for special recognition as Giant Teachers of the Month (with thanks to Giant for the recognition program):

October – Cheryl Doughty, Family & Consumer Science teacher, James M. Bennett High School
November – John Cox, 3rd-Grade teacher, Pinehurst Elem. School
December – Etta Johnson, Science teacher, Pittsville Middle School

Award for Heroic Distinction

To Brenda White, an instructional assistant at North Salisbury Elementary School, who on Dec. 4 took quick and effective action to aid a choking student who had food lodged in his airway. Ms. White performed the Heimlich maneuver and the student’s life was saved. The Board recognized Ms. White with a Certificate for Heroic Distinction.

Outstanding Program Recognition from the National Network of Partnership Schools

To the Action Team for Partnerships at Salisbury Middle School, a certificate of achievement for receiving Outstanding Program Recognition by the National Network of Partnership Schools. The school’s 2009 Family Night, “A Night Under the Milky Way,” drew more than 250 people for a night of parent-teacher conferences, dinner and a science expo. Action Team representatives included Tammy Bugas of the PTA; Tara Elliott and Chad Pavlekovich, Instructional Leadership Team Co-chairs; Teachers Jayne Malach, Jen Zapf and Evan Lane; and principal of Salisbury Middle School, Amy Eskridge.

Maryland Most Improved Judy Center Award for 2009

To the Wicomico County Judy Center Partnership, for having received the 2009 Most Improved Judy Center Partnership Award, along with $5,000 in award money. The Judy Center, one of 24 in Maryland, was selected for its outstanding efforts in providing families with children birth through age 5 in the Beaver Run and Pemberton catchment areas with needed health care, mental health, education and other community services to ensure school readiness when the students enter kindergarten.

2009-10 First Quarter Recycling Contest Winner

To Glen Avenue Elementary School, for winning the 2009-2010 First Quarter Recycling Contest with 9.385 pounds of recycled paper per student. Glen Avenue is a three-time winner of this $1,000 award.

Wicomico County Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night Set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. ...

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:19:57 -0500

A Wicomico County Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, at North Salisbury Elementary School. Many outstanding students, teachers, staff members and schools are on the program for recognition.

The public is invited to join the Board for this wonderful evening. Coverage of this event will be part of the school system's "Working Together for Children" cable show on PAC 14 in February, and a full list of honorees, as well as photos from the awards night, will be posted at the Board's web site (www.wcboe.org) following the event.

On the program for Jan. 19:

Maryland Blue Ribbon School
Winners of the 2009 Operation SPEAK Oratorical Competition
2010 All-State Musicians
ACC Tournament of Bands Competition
2009 Ikea Thanksgiving Day Parade Participants
Eastern Shore High School Mathematics Competition (top Wicomico team and player)
Wendy’s High School Heisman Award Honorees
National AP Scholar
2010 Maryland General Assembly Page Program Participants
VFW Post 2996/District VFW Teacher of the Year
Giant Teachers of the Month
Award for Heroic Distinction
Outstanding Program Recognition from the National Network of Partnership Schools
Maryland Most Improved Judy Center Award 2009
2009-10 First Quarter Recycling Contest Winner

Teacher Rick Seay Fondly Remembered by Wicomico High, Wicomico School Community

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:33:55 -0500

Rick Seay, a history teacher at Wicomico High School, is being mourned and remembered with fondness after passing away on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

A memorial service was held Sunday in the Wicomico High School Auditorium.

To read more about Mr. Seay and the positive impact he had on his school and students, please go to http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100115/NEWS01/1150302/Wi-Hi-educator-taught-students-to-stand-tall. This story appeared in the Jan. 15 edition of The Daily Times.

Wicomico County Board of Education Reviews Proposed Budget Reductions for Fiscal 2011

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:41:19 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education will continue to review and discuss proposed budget reductions in anticipation of having substantially less funding for fiscal 2011. The Board received the proposed reductions at a work session Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Among the proposed reductions discussed at the work session are a redesign of the Magnet program, elimination of Adult Education, Beyond the Limits and the Year Round Education Program at Delmar Elementary School, and many staffing changes. All of the proposed budget reductions would be difficult, the Board said, and all will be discussed in the coming weeks and months as the Board prepares to adopt a fiscal 2011 budget to send to the Wicomico County Council by March 15.

The Board and Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said that the focus will be on preserving a high-quality education for all students and keeping the effect of cuts away from the classroom, while at the same time not eliminating personnel the school system needs to carry out its mission of providing “all students an educational foundation and a set of skills which will enable them to become responsible and productive citizens in our society.”

The Board of Education will hold its first public input meeting of the fiscal 2011 budget year on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the Wicomico High School auditorium. Please call 410-677-4561 for information.

The Board has already been informed by County Executive Richard M. Pollitt Jr. that it will receive approximately $5 million less from the county in next year's budget, and that the county would not therefore meet the Maintenance of Effort requirement for the school system to receive new state aid. Pollitt has also informed the school system that, based on projected county revenues, the county anticipates reducing funding for Wicomico County Public Schools over the next several years. The school system may also see reduced state funding next year. State aid is based upon a school system's full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment as of Sept. 30 each year. As of Sept. 30, 2 , the school system's FTE enrollment for state aid purposes declined by 51 students, even though overall enrollment actually increased by 29 students with prekindergarten students included. Current state aid formulas exclude prekindergarten students from the Sept. 30 FTE calculation.

At the work session, Dr. Fredericksen presented the Board with two tiers of budget reductions totaling nearly $6.5 million for fiscal 2011; these Tier I and Tier II proposed budget reductions will be posted on the Board's web site at www.wcboe.org.

The Tier I reductions of $5.9 million will almost certainly be needed to prepare a balanced budget, though there could still be changes to some of the items listed in Tier I, Dr. Fredericksen said. Tier II reductions of almost $588,000 have also been identified, to be used if needed. The superintendent and his staff have prepared additional tiers of reductions in case they are needed.

Tier I of the proposed budget reductions includes four major program changes. Approximately $344,000 could be saved by serving Magnet-eligible students with accelerated programs in their home schools instead of at regional centers. Another $296,000 will be saved by the elimination of the Adult Education program, which is moving to another provider in accordance with state funding. The Board would save about $180,000 by eliminating the Beyond the Limits ropes course program. Finally, approximately $75,000 would be saved by ending the Year Round Education program at Delmar Elementary and serving those students in the traditional program at Delmar Elementary.

The proposed change in Magnet would result in students no longer being transported to one of two Magnet centers, but instead being served with Magnet-level instruction at the home school. This would increase the opportunity for high-achieving students to receive accelerated instruction, since right now many Magnet-eligible students do not attend Magnet at North Salisbury or Pemberton elementary schools due to concerns about transportation time or due to a desire to remain in the home school. Changing the way Magnet instruction is delivered would expand the opportunity to more eligible students, reduce transportation issues, and save money on staffing and transportation, Dr. Fredericksen said.

“We are not taking away the Magnet program,” Board President Mark S. Thompson said. “We're looking at expanding it, and not just expanding it, but offering it in more elementary schools.”

“It's an expansion of the program, not doing away with it,” Board member Ronald Willey said. “I would very much oppose doing away with that program. We need that program,” Willey said, to challenge highly able students who are performing well beyond grade level. Dr. Fredericksen has a team working to develop that same rigor in all home schools with intermediate grades.

A decision on proposed changes to the Magnet program must be made in time to correspond with changes made as a result of redistricting. The Redistricting Task Force is currently gathering information and will make recommendations to the superintendent in a few weeks.

At the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 81 employees will retire through the school system's Early Notification Program. “It is our hope to save significant budget dollars by not filling 25-30 vacancies left by ENP retirements,” Dr. Fredericksen said.

In addition to positions cut through the alteration or elimination of the programs described above, other position reductions in Tier I (totaling 30 positions) include reducing three elementary math and four elementary reading professional development coaches, converting four in-school suspension teaching positions to instructional assistants, converting some psychologist positions to 10-month positions, eliminating a vacant project manager position from Facility Services, realigning Central Office staff to eliminate at least one position, eliminating four secondary teaching positions due to realignments, and replacing staff positions for the Instructional Resource Center and a new teacher mentor with contractual help.

Board of Education Considering 2.0 Minimum GPA for Participation in Cocurricular and ...

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:31:40 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its Jan. 12 Board meeting approved on first reading a proposal to increase the minimum grade point average (GPA) for extracurricular activities to 2.0 starting with the 2010-11 school year. A second reading on the draft policy will also be needed, at the Feb. 9 Board meeting.

Since last year, a task force has been reviewing Wicomico’s minimum GPA requirement of 1.6 on a 4.0 scale. Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen and Director of Secondary Education Kimberly Miles presented the task force’s recommendations and a draft policy on Cocurricular and Extracurricular Activity Eligibility to the Board Tuesday, Jan. 5, at a work session.

Middle and high schools sent a copy of the draft policy home with students on Monday, Jan. 11. That proposed policy showed an increase to 1.85 GPA for 2010-11, and 2.0 the year after that. The draft policy approved by the Board on Jan. 12 calls for a 2.0 minimum GPA starting with the 2010-11 school year.

The proposed policy as approved Jan. 12 will be posted on the Board's web site at www.wcboe.org. Comments or concerns may be e-mailed to comments@wcboe.org.

Nominations for Wicomico Teacher of the Year Accepted Until Jan. 29

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:55:08 -0500

Nominations for 2010-2011 Wicomico Teacher of the Year will be accepted until Jan. 29. Anyone in the community is invited to seek recognition for a current Wicomico teacher who has taught full-time for at least five years.

Nomination forms will be sent home with students. They are also available in schools, at the Board of Education Office, at the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, and on line at www.wcboe.org.

The Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Program annually solicits nominations from parents, students, the community and fellow educators to recognize Wicomico teachers with exceptional qualities and characteristics that make them shining examples of teaching in Wicomico County. Nominations come from many different people; a student who treasures a special teacher, a parent who sees the benefits of all that a teacher does, someone who recalls an outstanding experience in the classroom of a teacher who is still teaching, or a coworker who sees the value of a fellow teacher’s work every day.

“Teachers considered as nominees for recognition as Teacher of the Year should exemplify the traits associated with master teachers. They should be skillful and dedicated teachers who plan to continue their teaching careers," said Karen Leimann, coordinator of the Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Program.

Wicomico Teachers of the Year, including the current Teacher of the Year, Susan Cullen (Grade 3, Delmar Elementary), model teaching excellence. Wicomico has had a number of finalists for Maryland Teacher of the Year, and has two past Maryland Teachers of the Year on staff, Bonnie Walston, now the director of special education (1994), and Aaron Deal, a computer education teacher at Salisbury Middle School (2004).

Semifinalists for the Wicomico award will be interviewed by a blue ribbon panel of judges (March 4-5). On March 18, during the Teacher of the Year Banquet at Salisbury University’s Commons, the finalists at the primary, intermediate, middle and high school levels will be named, and the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year will be announced.

For more information, please call Karen Leimann at 410-677-4462 or e-mail her at kleimann@wcboe.org.

Watch Working Together for Children, Mentoring Matters on PAC 14

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:54:00 -0500

The January edition of "Working Together for Children" will air on PAC 14 (Comcast Channel 14) at 9:31 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19. Please visit pac14.org for additional times throughout the month.

The January 2010 edition of the show features interviews with Kim Finger, Director of Student & Family Services, and Patti Adkins, coordinator of the Infants & Toddlers Program. The show also features a visit to Northwestern Elementary, which in December was named a Maryland Blue Ribbon School.

"Working Together for Children" airs regularly at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and noon Saturdays; check the Programming grid at www.pac14.org for additional times. PAC 14 also streams its programming live on its web site at www.pac14.org, so viewers can visit the web site to "tune in" on line when the show is on the air. DVDs of many past "Working Together" shows are now available at the Wicomico Public Library. Please call 410-677-4529 or e-mail fwilson@wcboe.org for information.

Mentoring Matters!, a show produced by the Wicomico Mentoring Project, is also airing on PAC 14; visit www.pac14.org for showtimes. Please call 410-677-4586 for information on the Wicomico Mentoring Project.

December Edition of "Working Together for Children" Airing on PAC 14

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:45:03 -0500

The December edition of "Working Together for Children" is airing on PAC 14 (Comcast Channel 14). The show is currently scheduled to air at 9:57 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30; visit pac14.org for additional times.

This month's show features the new cafeteria software in Wicomico Schools, and highlights from the Nov. 17 Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night. "Working Together for Children" airs regularly at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and noon Saturdays; check the Programming grid at www.pac14.org for additional times. PAC 14 also streams its programming live on its web site at www.pac14.org, so viewers can visit the web site to "tune in" on line when the show is on the air. DVDs of many past "Working Together" shows are now available at the Wicomico Public Library.

A special on the 2009 holiday card designers from the four high schools will air at 9:39 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30.

Catch Wicomico County marching bands in action in PAC 14’s coverage of the Salisbury Christmas Parade. The parade will air at 4:59 p.m. Wednesday, Dec.30.

Board Budget Hearing at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14 at Wi-Hi Auditorium (NEW LOCATION)

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:01:07 -0500

The Board of Education will hold a public budget input session at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Wicomico High School Auditorium (new location).

Parents, students, community members and Board staff are invited to come with comments. Early input will be valuable in what is expected to be a very challenging budget year for the school system and the Board of Education. For information please call 410-677-4561.

2010-2011 Draft Calendar Now Available for Review

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:33:43 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education is seeking input on its calendar for the 2010-2011 school year, prior to a final vote at the Jan. 12 Board meeting. The draft calendar, with school closings and holidays, is posted on the main page of the Board’s web site, under Links.

Under the proposed calendar, the school year would begin Monday, Aug. 30 and end June 10, 2011. Students would be off Nov. 24-26 for the Thanksgiving break, Dec. 23-Jan. 2 for the winter holidays (schools would reopen Jan. 3), and April 21-25 for the spring holidays. June 8, 9 and 10 would be early dismissal days.

Schools would also be closed Sept. 6 (Labor Day), Sept. 14 (Primary Election), Oct. 15 (MSTA Convention), Nov. 2 (General Election), Jan. 17 (Martin Luther King Birthday), Feb. 21 (Presidents Day) and May 30 (Memorial Day). Schools would be closed for students (but open for teachers) for professional days on Oct. 18, Jan. 24 and 25, Feb. 28 and May 2.

The calendar also includes proposed changes in graduation procedures for the county’s four high schools. Commencement ceremonies for the class of 2011 would take place at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center for all four high schools, with Mardela High School students receiving diplomas the evening of Friday, June 3, 2011, and students from Parkside, James M. Bennett and Wicomico high schools graduating at staggered times on Saturday, June 4, 2011. Scheduling the commencement ceremonies for one location on only two days would save money on facility rental and other graduation costs for the school system and the high schools.

The proposed calendar may be downloaded as a pdf from the Wicomico County Board of Education’s Web site at www.wcboe.org, under Links.

The Board approved the draft calendar on first reading at its Dec. 8 meeting, and expects to adopt a final calendar at the Jan. 12 meeting. Please submit any comments or suggestions to Stacy Messick, Coordinator of Employees Relations, at smessick@wcboe.org or 410-677-4421.

Northwestern Elementary Named 2010 Maryland Blue Ribbon School

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:27:01 -0500

State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick announced on Tuesday, Dec. 15, that Northwestern Elementary School in Mardela Springs is one of six public schools that have been selected as the 2010 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.

Northwestern Elementary, a school of 250 students, was recognized as a school of Sustained Improvement & High Achievement. The school has 51 percent of its students on Free and Reduced Priced Meals, and has student achievement at high standards with 94.4 percent of its 5th grade reading and 5th grade math students scoring in the proficient range.

The school received a Maryland School Performance Recognition Award in 2008 for increasing its subgroup performance on the MSA. Northwestern Elementary is a professional learning community school with all teachers, coaches, and administrators discussing student data on a weekly basis.

Representing Northwestern Elementary and Wicomico County Public Schools at the award announcement were Northwestern Principal Kirby Bryson, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen, Board of Education President Mark Thompson and Vice President L. Michelle Wright, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Student Services Dr. Margo Handy, Director of Elementary Education Susan Jones, and other school system staff members.

The names of all six Blue Ribbon schools have been submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Education for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. They are being recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education on the basis of rigorous state and national requirements for high achievement and dramatic improvement.

“Maryland is fortunate to have a large number of terrific schools, and making this selection from our 1,450 schools truly difficult,” Dr. Grasmick said. “We congratulate the students, teachers, parents, administrators and community members of these six outstanding schools, which serve as gleaming examples of educational excellence.”

Four of the schools are in the top 10 percent of state schools as measured by the Maryland School Assessments. The other two have achieved dramatic improvement over the past five years while serving an economically disadvantaged school population.

The 2010 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools are:
• Northwestern Elementary School, Wicomico County
• Snow Hill Middle School, Worcester County
• Eastern Technical High School, Baltimore County
• Northern Middle School, Calvert County
• New Market Elementary School, Frederick County
• Ellicott Mills Middle School, Howard County

The schools will be honored by Dr. Grasmick and other dignitaries at a banquet March 15 in Annapolis. They also will be recognized with a special tribute by the Maryland General Assembly. Each school will receive more than $6,000 in technology equipment from Smart Technologies, $1,000 each from corporate sponsors, and a school-wide pizza party from Joe Corbi’s Pizza.

The schools will represent Maryland in the National Blue Ribbon Schools Competition. National winners will be announced in the fall of 2010 and will be invited to Washington, D.C., to be honored by national officials.

Maryland corporate sponsors of the Blue Ribbon Schools Program include Comcast, Joe Corbi’s Pizza, EduTrax, Scholastic, The SmarterKids Foundation, Sylvan Centers and Verizon of Maryland.

Bookkeeping Irregularities Investigated

Wicomico County Board of Education — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:29:01 -0500

Peggy Gaskill, a bookkeeper at Wicomico High School, was terminated in June 2009 for inappropriate behavior and failure to comply with Wicomico County Board of Education procedures.

Discrepancies in school accounts that were under her control were reported to the Wicomico County Board of Education’s Finance Department, which conducted an internal investigation. An independent certified public accounting firm, TGM Group, LLC, was immediately contracted to perform an “Agreed-Upon Procedures” audit of the school’s books and records.

Board staff contacted the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation and provided a copy of the final report issued by TGM Group, LLC. At that point, the investigation was in the hands of the Sheriff’s Department and the State’s Attorney’s Office. The Board is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John E. Fredericksen said Monday, “We take our fiscal responsibility seriously. When there are allegations of wrongdoing, we take every step to investigate the matter and take action appropriate to any wrongdoing.”

Wicomico County Public School System Conserves Dollars in Current Difficult Budget Times

Wicomico County Board of Education — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:58:41 -0500

As challenging financial times continue for the community, the state, the country and the world, the Wicomico County Public School System is carefully conserving dollars in this year's budget and looking for ways to cut costs for next year's budget to ensure that Wicomico County students will still receive the high-quality education they deserve.

While operating on a balanced budget, the school system has already identified $3.1 million in budget savings for the current year, money that could be set aside for future years when the financial picture may be just as difficult if not more difficult. Looking ahead to the Fiscal 2011 budget (for July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011), the school system has developed a multi-tier plan to reduce the budget by $6.4 million in anticipation of our County government not being able to meet the Maintenance of Effort level needed for the school system to receive new state dollars. The County can provide $185,000 less for 2010-11 and still meet Maintenance of Effort due to the funding formula.

"It is a challenging time. We are responding to it as best we can," said Dr. John Fredericksen, superintendent of schools. "Our goal is to survive this economic difficulty while continuing to provide quality educational services for our students. It is our job to create the conditions for their success, regardless of the financial challenges."

Challenges in This Year's Budget (Fiscal 2010, from July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010)

This budget year has been a challenging one:

• The Maryland Attorney General's Office finally approved the school system's Maintenance of Effort (MOE) plan, enabling the school system to utilize approximately $4.1 million in new state and federal funding this year. The MOE plan called for the Board to pay our County government $2 million from the Board's School Construction Fund. These funds had been accumulated over the past 3 years in an effort to address the long list of deferred capital projects such as roof replacements and HVAC upgrades. However with the $2 million check recently given to the county, this leaves only $2.1 million in the entire account. "We hate to see the account depleted as the list of deferred capital projects continues to grow and postpones the date when all schools will have modern HVAC and proper technology, but we had no choice in order to be able to leverage the state and federal dollars," stated Dr. Fredericksen.

• The Wicomico County Council has denied transfers of budgeted funds when the Board of Education has sought to transfer funds between categories to hire people to do jobs needed to serve students even though it does not increase the bottom line budget.

• The superintendent has instituted a hiring freeze. When a position becomes vacant during this budget year, the superintendent must approve filling that position. Dr. Fredericksen said he will evaluate each position to determine whether it must be filled or whether it could remain vacant. "We are not using furlough days, lay-offs, or reduced hours and/or pay at this time," he said. "If this changes, we will discuss it with the Board of Education, employee groups, and other appropriate people."

• The superintendent has instructed all budget managers to save as much cash as possible in light of pending budget reductions that the school system anticipates facing from the county, state and federal levels in the coming years. While the school system is operating with a balanced budget this year, the superintendent and his staff have already identified $3.1 million in budget savings which include:

 $1.3 million saved by withholding funding approved in this year's budget for the Board's other post-employment benefits trust, GASB 45, retiree health care plan. This plan is adequately funded at this time, but funding will be needed in the future.

 $425,000 saved by reducing expenditures on supplies and materials by 7 percent. The money saved would have been used for materials of instruction for the classroom, supplies for repair, small equipment, computer software, testing supplies, and media center books and periodicals.

 $626,000 saved from various contracted services, including $200,000 saved by putting on hold several systemic renovation projects that include the planned repair/renovation of the Wicomico Middle elevator; auditorium lighting upgrades for the high schools and track lighting for the Beaver Run Elementary stage; relocating 11 portable classroom buildings that would otherwise be available for use at other schools upon the completion of the new James M. Bennett High, blacktop resurfacing, scaling and paving reduced by 10 percent over the prior year's level. In other contracted services, the funds budgeted for a curriculum audit by an outside consultant would not be spent; the school system would attempt to use in-house personnel to conduct the audit.

 $143,000 saved by cutting the conferences and meetings budget by 33 percent and restricting all out-of-state travel.

 $388,000 saved from capital outlay, which would result in the delay of planned repairs and renovations to the Parkside High track; reduce the amount of technology upgrades (items such as school security cameras and interactive whiteboards); delay ADA-compliance upgrades at Delmar Elementary, Mardela Middle and High, Pittsville Elementary and Middle, and West Salisbury Elementary; defer parking lot improvements at Fruitland Primary and Fruitland Intermediate; and delay the planned replacement of network servers and network switches.

Looking Ahead to Next Year (Fiscal 2011) Budget

The budget for Fiscal 2011 (for the budget year July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011) is already being drafted, with the first public budget input session planned for January. Even though the school system is only in the early stages of preparing the Fiscal 2011 budget, a number of key financial factors have already become clear.

The County Executive and the Wicomico County Council have informed the Superintendent and the Board of Education that the county intends to reduce its funding for the school system by $5 million next year, and therefore not meet the maintenance of effort level needed to receive additional state funding. The County Executive and County Council have also advised the school system to anticipate an additional cut in funding of $2.5 million for Fiscal 2012 and an additional $2 million for Fiscal 2013. The school system and the county will work together to lobby the Maryland General Assembly for a change in the maintenance of effort requirement whereby we may continue to take advantage of whatever increases in state and federal dollars may be available.

The State of Maryland has supported school systems with significant levels of funding over the past 7 years, primarily as a result of the Thornton funding initiative, but the amount of state aid for education is likely to be reduced in future budgets (starting in Fiscal 2011), based upon projections released by state sources. "The State of Maryland has a significant structural budget deficit, on the order of $1.8 billion, and we can anticipate that school systems, while to date have escaped from the state budget axe, will most likely begin to feel the pinch from state cuts in FY 2011 and ensuing years,” said Dr. Fredericksen.

The Federal government has provided economic stimulus funding for 2009-10 and 2010-11. That funding is limited to specific areas and initiatives - special education, Title I and Food Services. Currently, this funding source is set to end after two years and likely will not be available after the budget year for July 2011-June 2012.

In anticipation of receiving approximately $5 million less from the county than in the current year, as well as reduced state and federal funding due to a decrease in enrollment and students qualifying for Free and Reduced Meals, the school system is identifying ways to achieve $6.4 million in total reductions. Reductions could include:

• Using the 70 or more Early Notification Program (ENP) retirements coming in June to prevent layoffs. ENP was intended to ensure that veteran teachers stayed with the school system until retirement and that enough notice was given to Human Resources to aid in recruitment, while also saving money by hiring new teachers to replace the retiring veteran teachers. However, it appears that the school system may not be able to afford to fill half of these positions that will be vacated as a result of the ENP retirements. This will mean reorganizing and requiring those who are left to carry a heavier load. This will be the time to think about tasks that "we've always done" to see if any of them can be dropped. The school system will focus its efforts on direct student services, with classroom instruction being the priority. "While we know that support services allow the teacher and others to focus on the student, the school system must adjust at this time," Dr. Fredericksen said.

• Re-examining many programs to decide whether they should continue. These programs include, but are not limited to, the Magnet centers, Year Round Education at Delmar Elementary, the Beyond the Limits ropes course, and professional development coaches.

"For Fiscal 2011, we will try to have as much in the way of reductions on the table as we can so that when we find out exactly how much state aid we are going to get, we will be more than adequately prepared to balance expenditures with whatever revenue we will be getting," Dr. Fredericksen said. "Our overriding goal will be protecting the classroom. A child only gets one chance to experience their PreK-12th grade education. It's our job to make that experience in our schools the best that it can be."

Holiday Concert Listings for Wicomico Schools

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:43:40 -0500

Concerts, parades and other musical events for the December holidays and winter are listed below, by date and then by school. Please contact the school for additional information.

Thursday, Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Day

Alto Sax player Molly Potvin; and Color Guard members Morgan Phillips and Tyler Andrew from James M. Bennett High School will participate in the Tournament of Bands, All-Star Marching Band at the Akia Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA.

Monday, Nov. 30

Many of the Fruitland Primary 2nd-Graders who will be putting on the school’s holiday program on Dec. 10 (The Elves’ Impersonator) will also participate in the Fruitland Tree Lighting festivities on Monday, Nov. 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The James M. Bennett High School Band will perform at the Fruitland Tree Lighting Ceremony outside the Fruitland City Hall, 6:30 p.m. Various groups, including the JMB Band, will perform. The evening will close with a visit from Santa on a Fruitland Fire Truck.

Pocomoke Christmas Parade, 7 p.m.: Mardela Middle and High School, Salisbury Middle School

Tuesday, Dec. 1

Charles H. Chipman Elementary Winter Program, featuring the second-graders with an assortment of holiday songs from many traditions, 6:30 p.m. Admission free. 410-677-5814

Bennett Middle Holiday Band Concert, 7 p.m., Bennett Auditorium. 410-677-5140

Wednesday, Dec. 2

Salisbury Middle School 6th-Grade Chorus Holiday Concert, “A Bit of Holiday Cheer,” 7 p.m., cafetorium. 410-677-5149

Thursday, Dec. 3

Friday, Dec. 4

Salisbury Middle School Orchestra Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., cafetorium. 410-677-5149

Saturday, Dec. 5

Cambridge Christmas Parade, 5 p.m.: Mardela Middle and High School Band

Seaford Christmas Parade: Wicomico Middle Band

Sunday, Dec. 6

Salisbury Christmas Parade, 2 p.m.: Look for marching band performances by Mardela Middle and High School, Wicomico Middle, Parkside High School, Salisbury Middle, James M. Bennett High School Marching Band and Color Guard (performing an arrangement of Christmas music by Jay Bocook, Doug Miles and Scott Harris)

Delmar Elementary students perform three songs at St. Stephen's Church in Delmar, 4 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 7

Beaver Run Elementary holiday concert Monday, Dec. 7, 6:15 p.m. PTA meeting at 6 p.m., followed by concert. “Beaver Run School Winter Holiday Sing-along,” with a variety of winter holiday song selections representing styles from diverse cultures. Gym. Admission free. 410-677-5101

Prince Street Elementary Winter Concert, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. “Paint the Town December:” Second-graders will be featured, along with 5th-grade string students. Admission is free. 410-677-5813

Pinehurst Elementary second-graders will perform songs from a holiday revue entitled "Our House Is A Holiday House" by Roger Emerson, 6:30 p.m., auditorium. This brief second-grade holiday program will be presented in conjunction with Pinehurst's December PTA program. The program includes narration, and songs performed by the second-grade chorus. 410-677-5810

Mardela Middle School Chorus and Band 6 Holiday Concert, 7:30 p.m. cafetorium

Tuesday, Dec. 8

Pittsville String and Chorus Concert at Parkside High School, 7 p.m. 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th grade string students will be performing in conjunction with the school chorus students. Admission is free but tickets are required and can be obtained from Mrs. Davis or Mrs. Burton. 410-677-5811

Wednesday, Dec. 9

Salisbury Middle 7th Grade Chorus Holiday Concert , “It’s the Holiday Season,” 7 p.m., cafetorium. 410-677-5149

Thursday, Dec. 10

Fruitland Primary 2nd-Graders present “The Elves’ Impersonator” at 6:30 p.m., cafeteria. In this program by Teresa Jennings, Santa's Workshop is abuzz with excitement and activity. The Elves are busily preparing toys and gifts for children all around the world, but their tasks aren't enough to keep them from gossiping about the new Elf on the block. Poor Elfis is the target of their ridicule and jokes because he looks unusual and acts differently than all of the other Elves. They even accuse him of being an Elf Impersonator! Feeling unloved and downtrodden, Elfis sings the blues and runs away from Santa's Workshop. When Santa, his reindeer and Mrs. Claus learn what has happened, they are outraged. Santa sends the reindeer out to find Elfis and bring him back. Meanwhile, he and Mrs. C. remind the rest of the Elves that they should accept others for who they are, no matter what their differences. The Elves are ashamed of themselves, and when the reindeer bring Elfis back, they apologize and ask him to lead them in a song of celebration. He agrees, and the whole lot of them sing together in a lively Christmas finale. Admission free. 410-677-5171

West Salisbury Elementary Winter Program, second-graders performing an assortment of holiday songs from many traditions, 7 p.m. Admission free. 410-677-5816

Wicomico Middle School 7th- and 8th-Grade Band students present a Holiday Concert, including an audience sing-along, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in the auditorium. Admission free. 410-677-5145

Bennett Middle 6th- and 7th-Grade Chorus in concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, Bennett Auditorium. Tickets $2, may be purchased in school office beginning Dec. 7. 410-677-5140

Salisbury Middle Symphonic/Marching Band Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., cafetorium. 410-677-5149

Monday, Dec. 14

Delmar Elementary Holiday Program: Santa's Play List. When Santa's favorite Christmas album is ruined, the North Pole gang decides to introduce Santa to their music with the help of iPods, playlists, headsets, and docking stations. The elves enjoy Rocking along with Santa, while the reindeer rap kick up their country heels. Join in on the holiday hi-tech fun and discover what ends up on Santa's playlist. Performances at 8:45 a.m.; 9:45 a.m.; and 1:30 p.m.

East Salisbury Elementary “Winter in Salisbury” holiday concert, 6:30 p.m. (PTA meeting followed by winter concert) Dec. 14. East Salisbury 4th Grade Chorus, selected 5th grade string students, and possibly a couple of 5th grade band members, performing carols and other holiday music, in gymnasium. Admission free. 410-677-5803.

Mardela Middle School Chorus 7 & 8 and Advanced Band Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., cafetorium

North Salisbury Elementary Band, 7 p.m. 410-677-5807

Tuesday, Dec. 15

North Salisbury Elementary Winter Concert, 7 p.m., multipurpose room. The school’s 4th-Grade Chorus and 5th-Grade Orchestra students will present A Multicultural Holiday Celebration, by Roger Emerson and John Jacobson. From Hanukkah and Kwanzaa to Christmas, Las Posadas, and beyond, discover the colors and celebrations of December in your town and around the world with this creative holiday revue. Get ready to “Paint the Town December.” Admission free. 410-677-5807

Middle School Strings Concert at Wicomico Middle School, 6:30 p.m. Middle School string students from Bennett Middle, Wicomico Middle and Pittsville Middle will perform in a joint concert. Admission is free. 410-677-5811, 410-677-5140 or 410-677-5145

Wednesday, Dec. 16

Third-Graders from Glen Avenue Elementary present “Happy Holiday’s Singing Telegrams” and winter concert, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16. This will be a fun show full of both familiar and not-so-familiar songs, and will showcase our 3rd grade's singing, dancing, and acting talents.
5th grade string students will be performing in conjunction with the school's holiday program. Admission is free. 410-677-5806

James M. Bennett High Choirs and Bands present the annual holiday concert, Sounds of the Season, at 7 p.m. in the Bennett Auditorium. Music from the Band will include excerpts from Tschaikowsky's "Nutcracker Suite", Handel's "Messiah" and Anderson's "Sleigh Ride". Other selections include a zany holiday melody by the JMB Band, as well as the parade selection, featuring the Marching Percussion and Color Guard. Admission free, but donations to the music program will be accepted. 410-677-5141

Salisbury Middle 8th Grade Chorus Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., cafetorium. 410-677-5149

Thursday Dec. 17

Wicomico Middle School 7th- and 8th-Grade Chorus students present a Holiday Concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, in the auditorium. Admission free. 410-677-5145

Pittsville Elementary and Middle Schools Bands, 7 p.m., at Parkside High School auditorium. Holidays around the World. Beginning Band and 6th-Grade bands will perform, and then the 7th- and 8th-Grade Bands will present a variety of holiday music from around the world including Mexico, Africa, Israel, England and the United States. Admission free. 410-677-5811

Pemberton Holiday Concert, “Sounds of the Season,” 7 p.m. Choir, strings and band students present the school's holiday program. The Pemberton Honor Choir will showcase the talents of its students (who has also performed at the Magi Choral Festival and Salisbury Tree Lighting) with a "Rock and Roll" medley that will be sure to put a smile on your face. Band students will complement the program with "Band Room Boogie." Admission is free. 410-677-5809

Monday, Dec. 21

Wicomico Middle 6th-Grade Band and Choir students present a Winter Concert, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, in the auditorium. Admission free. 410-677-5145

Mardela High School Holiday Concert (featuring High School Intermediate Choir, High School Concert Choir, High School Symphonic Band, and Warrior Marching Band & Bandfront), 7 p.m., cafetorium.

Wicomico High School Choirs and Band, along with the high school strings students, will perform in the Wicomico High Auditorium at 7 p.m. 410-677-5146

LISTING BY SCHOOL

Beaver Run Elementary

Holiday concert Monday, Dec. 7, 6:15 p.m. PTA meeting at 6 p.m., followed by concert. “Beaver Run School Winter Holiday Sing-along,” with a variety of winter holiday song selections representing styles from diverse cultures. Gym. Admission free. 410-677-5101

Charles H. Chipman Elementary

Tuesday, Dec. 1. Winter Program, featuring the Chipman second-graders with an assortment of holiday songs from many traditions, 6:30 p.m. Admission free. 410-677-5814

Delmar Elementary

Sunday, Dec. 6. Delmar Elementary students perform three songs at St. Stephen's Church in Delmar, 4 p.m.

Delmar Elementary Holiday Program: Santa's Play List. When Santa's favorite Christmas album is ruined, the North Pole gang decides to introduce Santa to their music with the help of iPods, playlists, headsets, and docking stations. The elves enjoy Rocking along with Santa, while the reindeer rap kick up their country heels. Join in on the holiday hi-tech fun and discover what ends up on Santa's playlist. Performances at 8:45 a.m.; 9:45 a.m.; and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 14.

East Salisbury Elementary

East Salisbury Elementary “Winter in Salisbury” holiday concert, 6:30 p.m. (PTA meeting followed by winter concert) Dec. 14. East Salisbury 4th Grade Chorus, selected 5th grade string students, and possibly a couple of 5th grade band members, performing carols and other holiday music, in gymnasium. Admission free. 410-677-5803.

Fruitland Primary

Fruitland Primary 2nd-Graders present “The Elves’ Impersonator” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, cafeteria. In this program by Teresa Jennings, Santa's Workshop is abuzz with excitement and activity. The Elves are busily preparing toys and gifts for children all around the world, but their tasks aren't enough to keep them from gossiping about the new Elf on the block. Poor Elfis is the target of their ridicule and jokes because he looks unusual and acts differently than all of the other Elves. They even accuse him of being an Elf Impersonator! Feeling unloved and downtrodden, Elfis sings the blues and runs away from Santa's Workshop. When Santa, his reindeer and Mrs. Claus learn what has happened, they are outraged. Santa sends the reindeer out to find Elfis and bring him back. Meanwhile, he and Mrs. C. remind the rest of the Elves that they should accept others for who they are, no matter what their differences. The Elves are ashamed of themselves, and when the reindeer bring Elfis back, they apologize and ask him to lead them in a song of celebration. He agrees, and the whole lot of them sing together in a lively Christmas finale. Admission free. 410-677-5171

Many of the Fruitland Primary 2nd-Graders who will be putting on the school’s holiday program on Dec. 10 (The Elves’ Impersonator) will also participate in the Fruitland Tree Lighting festivities on Monday, Nov. 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Glen Avenue Elementary

Third-Graders from Glen Avenue Elementary present “Happy Holiday’s Singing Telegrams” and winter concert, 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16. This will be a fun show full of both familiar and not-so-familiar songs, and will showcase our 3rd grade's singing, dancing, and acting talents.
5th grade string students will be performing in conjunction with the school's holiday program. Admission is free. 410-677-5806

North Salisbury Elementary

North Salisbury Elementary Band, 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14

North Salisbury Elementary Winter Concert, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, multipurpose room. The school’s 4th-Grade Chorus and 5th-Grade Orchestra students will present A Multicultural Holiday Celebration, by Roger Emerson and John Jacobson. From Hanukkah and Kwanzaa to Christmas, Las Posadas, and beyond, discover the colors and celebrations of December in your town and around the world with this creative holiday revue. Get ready to “Paint the Town December.” Admission free. 410-677-5807

Northwestern Elementary
Northwestern Elementary’s holiday program “A December to Remember” will be presented on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 6:30 p.m. Students in grades 1 and 2 will sing. Join us as the residents of “Mountain Village” are preparing for their annual community holiday celebration and are recalling how this multicultural celebration got started. Many years ago a huge snow storm had left the residents stranded in their community center. To make the best of a bad situation, the residents decided to share their holiday traditions and gifts with one another. It was such a meaningful experience for everyone that it has become an annual tradition. 410-677-5808
Pemberton Elementary

Pemberton Holiday Concert, “Sounds of the Season,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17. Choir, strings and band students present the school's holiday program. The Pemberton Honor Choir will showcase the talents of its students (who has also performed at the Magi Choral Festival and Salisbury Tree Lighting) with a "Rock and Roll" medley that will be sure to put a smile on your face. Band students will complement the program with "Band Room Boogie." Admission is free. 410-677-5809

Pinehurst Elementary

Monday, Dec. 7., 6:30 p.m., Pinehurst auditorium. Pinehurst Elementary second-graders will perform songs from a holiday revue entitled "Our House Is A Holiday House" by Roger Emerson. This brief second-grade holiday program will be presented in conjunction with Pinehurst's December PTA program. The program includes narration, and songs performed by the second-grade chorus.

Prince Street Elementary

Prince Street Elementary Winter Concert, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7. “Paint the Town December:” Second-graders will be featured, along with 5th-grade string students. Admission is free. 410-677-5813

West Salisbury Elementary

Thursday, Dec. 10. West Salisbury Elementary Winter Program, second-graders performing an assortment of holiday songs from many traditions, 7 p.m. Admission free. 410-677-5816

Westside Primary

Westside Primary first graders will present a concert in the Westside Intermediate School cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14. 410-677-5117

Westside Intermediate

Westside Intermediate 4th- and 5th-Graders will present "Jack Frost's Holiday Mischief" an original play by music teacher, Mae Higgins, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. Jack Frost's icy heart is determined to ruin holidays everywhere. Will his frostlings fall in with his dastardly plan or will a miracle save the day? Join us for a fun evening of songs and laughter. 410-677-5118

Willards Elementary

Wednesday, Dec. 9. Wonderful Willards Elementary Winter Program, 7 p.m., cafetorium. Students will present two folktales from India as well as traditional folk dance from the Punjab region of India. The second half of the program will conclude with a peace round and a winter song sing-along with the audience. 410-677-5819

Pittsville Elementary and Middle

Pittsville String and Chorus Concert at Parkside High School auditorium, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8. 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th grade string students will be performing in conjunction with the school chorus students. Admission is free but tickets are required and can be obtained from Mrs. Davis or Mrs. Burton. 410-677-5811

Middle School Strings Concert at Wicomico Middle School, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Middle School string students from Bennett Middle, Wicomico Middle and Pittsville Middle will perform in a joint concert. Admission is free. 410-677-5811, 410-677-5140 or 410-677-5145

Pittsville Elementary and Middle Schools Bands, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at Parkside High School auditorium. Holidays around the World. Beginning Band and 6th-Grade bands will perform, and then the 7th- and 8th-Grade Bands will present a variety of holiday music from around the world including Mexico, Africa, Israel, England and the United States. Admission free. 410-677-5811

Bennett Middle

Bennett Middle Holiday Band Concert, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, Bennett Auditorium. 410-677-5140

Holiday Lights. Bennett Middle 6th- and 7th-Grade Chorus in concert, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, Bennett Auditorium. Tickets $2, may be purchased in school office beginning Dec. 7. 410-677-5140

Middle School Strings Concert at Wicomico Middle School, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Middle School string students from Bennett Middle, Wicomico Middle and Pittsville Middle will perform in a joint concert. Admission is free. 410-677-5811, 410-677-5140 or 410-677-5145

Salisbury Middle

Monday, Nov. 30. Pocomoke Christmas Parade, 7 p.m.: Mardela Middle and High School, Salisbury Middle School

Wednesday, Dec. 2. Salisbury Middle 6th-Grade Chorus Winter Concert "A Bit of Holiday Cheer,” 7 p.m., cafetorium. 410-677-5149. No admission, but a donation of a canned good is welcome.

Friday, Dec. 4. Salisbury Middle School Orchestra Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., cafetorium. No admission, but a donation of a canned good is welcome. 410-677-5149

Sunday, Dec. 6. Salisbury Middle Band in the Salisbury Christmas Parade, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 9. Salisbury Middle 7th Grade Chorus Holiday Concert , “It’s the Holiday Season,” 7 p.m., cafetorium. No admission, but a donation of a canned good is welcome. 410-677-5149

Thursday, Dec. 10. Salisbury Middle Symphonic/Marching Band Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., cafetorium. No admission, but a donation of a canned good is welcome. 410-677-5149

Wednesday, Dec. 16. Salisbury Middle 8th Grade Chorus Holiday Concert, 7 p.m., "When Christmas Comes to Town," cafetorium. No admission, but a donation of a canned good is welcome. 410-677-5149

Wicomico Middle

Wicomico Middle School 7th- and 8th-Grade Band students present a Holiday Concert, including an audience sing-along, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, in the auditorium. Admission free. 410-677-5145

Middle School Strings Concert at Wicomico Middle School, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Middle School string students from Bennett Middle, Wicomico Middle and Pittsville Middle will perform in a joint concert. Admission is free. 410-677-5811, 410-677-5140 or 410-677-5145

Wicomico Middle School 7th- and 8th-Grade Chorus students present a Holiday Concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, in the auditorium. Admission free. 410-677-5145

Wicomico Middle 6th-Grade Band and Choir students present a Winter Concert, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, in the auditorium. Admission free. 410-677-5145

Mardela Middle and High School

Pocomoke Christmas Parade, Monday, Nov. 30, 7:00p
Cambridge Christmas Parade, Saturday, Dec. 5, 5:00p
Salisbury Christmas Parade, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2:00p

Mardela MS Chorus and Band 6 Holiday Concert, Monday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., MMHS Cafetorium

Mardela MS Chorus 7 & 8 and Advanced Band Holiday Concert, Monday, Dec. 14, 7:00p, MMHS Cafetorium

Mardela HS Holiday Concert (featuring HS Intermediate Choir, HS Concert Choir, HS Symphonic Band, and Warrior Marching Band & Bandfront), Monday, Dec. 21, 7:00p, MMHS Cafetorium

James M. Bennett High School

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26. Alto Sax player Molly Potvin; and Color Guard members Morgan Phillips and Tyler Andrew from James M. Bennett High School will participate in the Tournament of Bands, All-Star Marching Band at the Akia Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA.

Monday, Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m. James M. Bennett High School Band will perform at the Fruitland Tree Lighting Ceremony outside the Fruitland City Hall. Various groups, including the JMB Band, will perform. The evening will close with a visit from Santa on a Fruitland Fire Truck.

Sunday, Dec. 6, Salisbury Christmas Parade, 2 p.m.. The James M. Bennett High School Marching Band and Color Guard will perform an arrangement of Christmas music by Jay Bocook, Doug Miles and Scott Harris.

James M. Bennett High Choirs and Bands present the annual holiday concert, Sounds of the Season, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, in the Bennett Auditorium. Music from the Band will include excerpts from Tschaikowsky's "Nutcracker Suite", Handel's "Messiah" and Anderson's "Sleigh Ride". Other selections include a zany holiday melody by the JMB Band, as well as the parade selection, featuring the Marching Percussion and Color Guard. Admission free, but donations to the music program will be accepted. 410-677-5141

Parkside High School

Parkside High School Holiday Concert with Intermediate Choir, Concert Choir and Symphonic Band, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, in the auditorium. Admission free. Please bring a canned good to donate to the Maryland Food Bank. 410-677-5161

Wicomico High

Wicomico High School Choirs and Band, along with the high school strings students, will perform in the Wicomico High Auditorium at 7 p.m. 410-677-5146

CHANGE IN MEETING TIME: Wicomico County Board of Education to Meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:58 -0500

The monthly meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education that was scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, will now be held at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10. The change in meeting time will allow the Board of Education and the public the opportunity to participate in both the Board meeting and the Wicomico County Council public hearing on proposed budget cuts. The County Council hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

Officials from Wicomico County Public Schools, Wicomico County Announce Plan to

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:28 -0500

Officials from the Wicomico County School System and Wicomico County announced at a press conference Friday, Nov. 6, that they have agreed on a plan for funding and continuing the school crossing guard program for the remainder of the school year.

The school system will pay approximately $50,000 out of contracted services so that the 13 school crossing guards can continue assisting students with street crossings at Wicomico County Public Schools, effective Dec. 1. For the remainder of the 2009-10 school year, the school crossing guards will be funded in much the same way as the school resource officers (Sheriff's Office deputies assigned to schools), with the Sheriff's Office handling the program and funding provided by the Board of Education.

Having crossing guards to assist students at some of the busiest street crossings is a critical safety issue, and the school system holds student safety to be paramount, said Dr. John Fredericksen, superintendent of schools. Other areas of the budget will have to be reduced to ensure funding for the school crossing guards.

The school system recognizes the unprecedented financial challenges facing Wicomico County, and is working closely with the county to find ways to save money while also protecting student safety and education, he said. Earlier this week, Wicomico County and Wicomico Schools received welcome news from the Maryland Attorney General's Office that their joint plan to meet the annual maintenance of effort requirement with a $2 million transfer from the school construction fund was valid. Wicomico's plan was the only one of three MOE plans that received state approval. At the press conference, Dr. Fredericksen presented Pollitt with the $2 million check.

Sheriff Mike Lewis proposed the elimination of funding for school crossing guards as one way of meeting the need for budget reductions. The school crossing guard program is one item on a list of budget cuts proposed recently by County Executive Richard M. Pollitt Jr. The Wicomico County Council will hold a public hearing on those proposed cuts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

The Sheriff's Office and the Wicomico County Board of Education anticipate signing a memorandum of understanding outlining the handling and funding of the school crossing guard after Nov. 30, when due to budget constraints the crossing guards will no longer be part of the Sheriff's Office budget. The future of the school crossing guard program after June 30 will be discussed during the upcoming budget process for the budget year that will begin July 1.

Notes from the November 10, 2009 Meeting of the Wicomico County Board of Education

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:40:06 -0500

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting Tuesday, Nov 10:

Modified the contract for land acquisition for building the new Bennett Middle School.

Approved the Revised Targets for Redistricting. The targets approved on October 13 did not reflect the changes made as a result of Board of Education Work Sessions.

Approved Budget Transfer.
Approved the monthly personnel report for certificated employees and budget transfers for November; received for information the monthly personnel report for classified.

Received for information a list of the members of the Wicomico County Education Association's 2009-10 Negotiation Team.

Accepted the Financial Report and Audit Communications for School Activity Funds for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2009.

During Tuesday's meeting, the Board also received:

Superintendent's Report
Heard from Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen:

Summary of Competitive Proposals with a receipt of nearly $1.9 million in grant funding in the 2009-2010 school year.

Enrollment numbers are in the process of being finalized; rather than increases in enrollment, there may be a reduction of enrollment by 12 student and numbers for students eligible for FARM (Free and Reduced Meals) are down.

A concern that there is a cancer cluster at Bennett Middle School was investigated by the Facilities Staff. All environmental tests were normal.

Family Portal will roll out during American Education Week, anticipating that 20,000 new users will be accessing our computer system to monitor students' grades, attendance and homework. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to come to their students' schools during American Education Week.

Recommendation for GPA (grade point average) for student participation in extracurricular activities is 1.85 for 2010 and 2.00 for 2011.

School system is collaborating with Parks and Recreation Department in the use of facilities to enable them to keep their programs going.

Redistricting Committee will have its first meeting on Monday November 16. The targets were met for adequate participation by staff, parents, and community members. Persons not on the committee are urged to visit the website and submit comments or give feedback via telephone message line (410) 677-5251.
Display at the Art Institute & Galleryfeatures the electronic design of the new James M. Bennett High School.
School Climate Survey to be conducted the end of November.

Memorandum of Understanding with Excel is being finalized to work with persistently violent and disruptive students.

Appreciation to the Dental Society for offering the Street Drugs Symposium November 13

Latest Edition of "Working Together for Children" Now Airing on PAC 14

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:11:01 -0500

The latest edition of "Working Together for Children" will air this week at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, on PAC 14 (Comcast Channel 14). It will also air at noon Saturday, and throughout the month of November and early December.

This month's show features an interview with Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen on topics including American Education Week, the new Family Portal, "moving the needle" and the dashboard, and more. Then it's on to the schools to see a successful school evacuation drill at Wicomico Early Learning Center, the first Punkin' Chunkin' at Salisbury Middle, DishiBem on stage and Rachel's Challenge, at Mardela Middle and High, H1N1 vaccine at Fruitland Primary, and the new paint booth at Parkside CTE.

"Working Together for Children" airs regularly at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and noon Saturdays; visit pac14.org for additional times. PAC 14 also streams its programming live on its web site at www.pac14.org, so viewers can visit the web site to "tune in" on line when the show is on the air. DVDs of many past "Working Together" shows are now available at the Wicomico Public Library.

"Working Together for Children" is produced monthly by the Wicomico County Public Schools for broadcast to the community on PAC 14. "Working Together" was honored with a 2007 Hometown Video Award from the Alliance for Community Media in the Educational Profile category (nonprofessional production).

For further information or to give feedback, please contact Dr. Faye Wilson at 410-677-4529 or fwilson@wcboe.org.

Maryland Attorney General’s Office Rules in Favor of MOE Arrangement Between Wicomico Schools ...

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:28:31 -0500

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday issued an opinion stating that the arrangement between the Wicomico County Board of Education and Wicomico to meet the state’s maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement for 2009-10 “appears consistent with the State education law.”

Transferring $2 million from the school system’s school construction fund – built from surplus funds from prior years’ appropriations and not from this year’s budget – “appears consistent with the State education law and the purpose of that fund,” the Nov. 4 opinion said. [click here to read the full opinion]

"This success in finding a legal way to work together to solve a very difficult economic problem without jeopardizing major funding resources demonstrates the benefits of hard work and a bit of luck,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said. “The reserve fund was designed to be a tool that reduced deferred maintenance in a collaborative manner involving the Wicomico Board of Education, the Wicomico County Council, and local community experts. Fortunately, its design also facilitated the fund's use in this time of financial need.”

The school system included the $2 million transfer to county in its fiscal 2010 budget, but could not make the payment until it got word from the Maryland Attorney General's Office that the arrangement was acceptable to the state. “The check will be delivered immediately," Dr. Fredericksen said.

Board President Mark S. Thompson said the Board and school system are very excited and pleased with the opinion from the Maryland Attorney General's Office.

"We were able to come up with a plan that enables us to help Wicomico County get through a time of financial difficulty, while still keeping us in good legal standing with regard to maintenance of effort. We had the right people in place at the right time to come up with a creative solution to get the job done and preserve much-needed state funding for Wicomico County Public Schools," Thompson said.

MOE plans from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties were not deemed permissible. Dr. Fredericksen said many people had a hand in coming up with a solution for Wicomico that received state approval.

"Thanks are due to many Board of Education staff members and Board members, past and present, for crafting a solution to the MOE challenge that was the only one recognized as valid by the Maryland Attorney General's Office,” Dr. Fredericksen said. “Wicomico schools and students also benefited greatly from the school system, Board of Education and the county working cooperatively to achieve a workable solution.”

“The real winners here are our school children,” said County Executive Richard M. Pollitt Jr. “This assures us that critical state funds will continue to be available for our educational system. I’m obviously delighted that we were able to come up with a plan that passed legal muster. I also heartily congratulate the Board of Education and the County Council for making this happen.”

2009 JMB Graduate Derek Wu Chosen to Serve as 2010 Olympic Torchbearer

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:15:11 -0500

Derek Wu, 17, of Salisbury has been selected as one of 10 U.S. teens to serve as a torchbearer for 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Currently a freshman at Princeton, Derek is a 2009 graduate of James M. Bennett High in Salisbury. While a senior, he served as the student member of the Maryland State Board of Education and as SGA president for James M. Bennett High School. He earned many honors and awards for his achievements in academics, extracurricular activities, service and music.

Derek's parents, Drs. Ying Wu and Hong Yao, teach in the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University, where Derek was a familiar face on campus as a student (taking six college courses while in high school)and competitor (a winner in the annual high school math competition co-sponsored and hosted by SU's Mathematics and Computer Science Department). Last spring he held a piano concert on campus with the assistance of SU's Department of Music and Cultural Affairs Office to raise money for the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA). Dr. George Whitehead, Professor of Psychology, served as Derek's mentor with the YLA and nominated him for the Olympic honor. Derek was also engaged in the Sister Cities program and presented at the 2008 National Conference on Undergraduate Research held here.

Coca-Cola chose 20 inspiring people to be Torchbearers for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. The U.S. Torchbearers were selected because they each use their passion for positive living to affect meaningful, enduring change in local and global communities.

The Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame through Calgary, Canada, on Jan. 18-19, 2010 as it makes its way to Vancouver and the Opening Ceremony for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games on February 12, 2010.

The Olympic Torch Relay, presented in part by Coca-Cola, will last for 106 days, cover more than 27,000 miles (45,000 kilometers) and link together more than 1,000 communities and places of interest throughout Canada.

Torchbearers were selected because of their commitments to sustainably promoting three aspects of positive living, including:

Balanced Living – staying active and physically fit while having fun with family and friends

Community – working to make good things happen for people throughout the community

Recycling – helping the planet by recycling or donating time to a recycling program in the community or school

Among those chosen to carry the Flame are 10 teens, five leaders from national health organizations, three Coca-Cola North America employees and Olympic gold medalists Shawn Johnson and Steven Lopez, who are part of the Coca-Cola “Six Pack” of Olympic athletes and competed in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. People can view the Torchbearers’ route and learn more about their personal stories by visiting www.LivePositively.com.

“These inspirational people have shown remarkable dedication in encouraging others and making a positive difference in so many lives, traits that Coca-Cola has long embraced.

Coca-Cola is saluting these champions of positive living by recognizing them with the special opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame,” said Celeste Bottorff, Vice President of Living Well, Coca-Cola North America.

Torchbearers were nominated by peers, teachers and leaders of youth organizations, and selected because of the significant contributions they have made in promoting healthy, active lifestyles, community involvement or recycling. In its announcement, Coca-Cola said of Wu:

Derek Wu of Salisbury helped found the Youth Leadership Academy in Wicomico County, MD, a three-day workshop for middle and high school students to hone their leadership skills in their schools and communities.

Mardela Community Celebrates Life and Service of Legendary Coach and Teacher Barbara McCool

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:42:39 -0500

A memorial service for Mardela Middle and High School teacher and coach Barbara McCool, 71, was held in the school gymnasium Saturday, Oct. 31.

She was celebrated in the gym where she had worked tirelessly since 1965, serving Mardela Middle and High School as a physical education teacher, athletic director, and coach of girls basketball and other sports. Coach McCool died at home Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Memorial contributions can be made to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland 21802. Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, 501 Snow Hill Rd. Salisbury, Maryland 21804.To send condolences to the family visit www.hollowayfh.com.

“I’ve known Coach for about 23 years. I can’t say that I’ve gone a week in those 23 years without having some kind of correspondence with her,” said Tia Jackson, a 1990 Mardela High School graduate and star on its basketball team, now head coach of the University of Washington Huskies in Seattle. Jackson said that what she learned from “Coach” she will “continue to do for the duration of my life. I say I have these McCoolisms in my pocket that I carry with me wherever I go.”

Jackson played in the WNBA in 1997, and worked as assistant coach at several universities before becoming a head coach in 2007. Whether she was a student, player or coach, Jackson could count on McCool to clue her in to the harsh truths and to continue to remind her of life lessons -- about work ethic and commitment to team and teammates -- first learned in the Mardela gym. “Coach” delivered even the sternest message with love.

“I’m standing taller and stronger than I ever would have had she not been present in my world,” Jackson said.

Dave Byrd, Pocomoke High School boys basketball coach and athletic director, traveled with McCool to state basketball meetings for 33 years and knew her even longer. McCool was “an icon, one of a kind,” he said. Known primarily as a girls basketball coach, McCool had also won a state championship in field hockey. She had an unflagging dedication to her school and to her profession as a physical education teacher.

“She was just a great friend and a great example for educators on the Eastern Shore and student-athletes on the Eastern Shore,” Byrd said. “She was the No. 1 female coach and pushed our student-athletes to succeed on the field or court, and more importantly pushed our student-athletes to go on to college and succeed in life.”

Claudia Hudson, a Mardela Middle and High teacher, knew McCool for many years as a fellow member of the Mardela staff and as her daughter’s basketball coach for six years. “I have heard her yell ‘God bless a milk cow!’ so many times that I can’t even say the words without hearing her voice.”

But there are other things Hudson will remember: “She was just like a mother hen, hovering over the girls and making sure they were hydrated and ankles were wrapped and meals were healthy. It was quite an experience. The real moms went along too, but they always let Coach rule because they respected her so much and trusted her to do what was right.” Coach McCool was “a rare breed … hard as nails on the surface, but a real softie underneath,” paying for shoes, camps, uniforms so students wouldn’t miss out on opportunities “because she believed in the kids and she wanted the best for them.” She taught her athletes about truth, commitment, honesty, conviction, sportsmanship, self respect, dedication and work ethic.

At Mardela Middle and High School, Hudson’s daughter Tania was in the capable and challenging hands of Coach McCool. Toward the end of her life, McCool was in the hands of Tania Hudson Reeder, the former student who was now her lung doctor. Coach proudly told anyone who would listen than she had taught her lung doctor everything she knew. “The truth is, Barb always did encourage Tania, and never faltered in her faith in her.”

McCool received a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian College in Boone, N.C., in 1960, and for five years she taught physical education in Virginia school districts. In 1965 she was hired as a teacher for Mardela Middle and High, and she remained there for the rest of her career, serving not only as a teacher but as the athletic director and girls head basketball coach. She also served as head coach of the boys soccer team for three years at a time when a strong coach was needed to rebuild the program. She also coached volleyball and track and field during her career.

“As a head coach, she was a true professional, performing her duties with the utmost efficiency and ability. She was an innovative and dynamic coach, infusing her athletes with tremendous motivation and instilling in them a desire to be the best they can be,” said Ralph Osborne, who as supervisor of athletics for Wicomico County Public Schools supervised Coach McCool for 23 years. Though she coached at one of the smallest high schools in the state, she fostered a tradition of success for her teams and athletes. She was recognized earlier this year for reaching the milestone of 600 career varsity wins, and in 2008-09 was selected as the Maryland District VIII Athletic Director of the Year. Her teams had numerous county, conference and regional titles over the decades.

“While she was demanding of her athletes, she always had their best interests at heart. She nurtured them and encouraged them in all their endeavors,” Osborne said. “Her demands and expectations of her athletes were only surpassed by the demands and expectations she placed on herself. She was like iron, never bending or breaking. In more than 40 years of coaching, she only ever missed one game, and that was due to an emergency stay at the hospital – with guards outside the door, of course, to prevent her leaving for the game.”

Liza Hastings, assistant principal at Bennett Middle School, played for Coach McCool from 1988-92. Unlike Jackson, one of her contemporaries, Hastings did not seem destined for a career in basketball either as a player or coach. That didn’t matter to Coach McCool, who pushed every player to be their personal best no matter what their level of ability. Though Hastings was not a natural athlete, “She never let me use that as an excuse. She taught me to push myself, that you have to have pride, and that you never settle… She pushed, and because of that I pushed, and that translated into academics and other areas of high school, like getting into the SGA (Student Government Association).”

“I have such respect for her, I really do. She’s one of my heroes,” Hastings said.

Ron Wainwright, a Mardela High School history teacher and former Wicomico Teacher of the Year, held Coach McCool in high esteem after knowing her for 25 years and spending 14 years as her assistant coach for soccer, track and basketball. “She sacrificed a lot of her own personal life for the kids and the school,” he said. “I know of no person who has ever put in as much time for the kids and the basketball program and the school as she did – ever.”

“She would do or say anything if it was in the best interest of the kids,” Wainwright said.

The Mardela Middle and High School family and the community will celebrate her life and career even as they mourn her passing. She will be missed by many in Wicomico County and beyond.

“Coach McCool exemplifies our Wicomico County teaching staff in her intense dedication to the success of every student in her care,” said Dr. John Fredericksen, superintendent of schools. “She was the consummate professional in her knowledge of her subjects and students. She spent the time needed not only to bring their skills up to the highest level at which they could achieve, but to give the gift of focused attention to each student who entered her classroom, field or gym. She was a true teacher in the highest sense of the title.”

New Mardela Middle and High School teacher Barbara McCool, from the 1966 yearbook

Barbara McCool (shown here in the 1971 yearbook) coached her teams to 675 victories and influenced thousands of young people during her 49-year career as a coach and educator.

Coach McCool in action in the 1989-90 season.

Tia Jackson's first memory of Coach McCool is of having the 5'1" dynamo pouncing on her in the hallway like Mufasa in The Lion King. "You play ball?" the coach growled to the new Mardela student. "If I didn't," Jackson says, "I knew enough to say I did."

Best known for coaching girls basketball, Coach McCool also coached volleyball (shown here in the 1966 yearbook), boys soccer, track and field, and field hockey.

From her first team in 1965-66 to 2009, McCool was known for being tough but caring in pursuit of team and personal excellence.

For 49 years, Barbara McCool was known for her intensity and dedication. (Photo courtesy of Mardela Middle and High School)

Photo courtesy of The Daily Times: Barbara McCool during her final season as Mardela Middle and High School's girls basketball coach.

In April, the Wicomico County Board of Education recognized Coach McCool for the outstanding career achievement of reaching the milestone of 600 Varsity wins in the state of Maryland. McCool had been recognized by the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association as the District VIII Athletic Director of the Year. McCool received a Governor's Citation and House Resolution in her honor.

Wicomico Schools Honored for Outstanding PBIS Programs

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:36:39 -0500

Sixteen Wicomico schools will be honored at the Nov. 17 Wicomico County Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night for earning Gold, Silver or Bronze status for their effective PBIS programs.

PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is an evidence-based approach to establishing a positive school climate. Various schools in Wicomico and throughout the country have implemented PBIS with tremendous success, said Dr. Wayne Hickman, PBIS organizer for Wicomico County Public Schools. Gold, Silver and Bronze recognition come as recognition for a school’s effective PBIS initiatives. The schools received recognition for their outstanding PBIS programs during a ceremony held at Wor-Wic Community College at the 2009 PBIS Eastern Shore Regional Summer Institute.

Wicomico schools recognized as Gold Schools were Beaver Run Elementary, Delmar Elementary, East Salisbury Elementary, Fruitland Intermediate, Glen Avenue Elementary, North Salisbury Elementary, Pemberton Elementary, Prince Street Elementary, and Westside Intermediate.

Recognized as Silver Schools were Bennett Middle, Fruitland Primary, Salisbury Middle and West Salisbury Elementary.

Recognized as Bronze Schools were Charles H. Chipman Elementary, Mardela Middle and High, and Pinehurst Elementary.

During the 2009 Summer Institute, school representatives from Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester, Caroline and Talbot counties participated in returning team training. Attendees received training in many areas, including behavioral strategies for the classroom, PBIS action planning, bullying intervention strategies, understanding gang culture, and various elements of PBIS.

Schools recognized from other counties were:

Gold: Somerset Intermediate and Woodson Elementary (Somerset County); Buckingham Elementary, Pocomoke Elementary, Pocomoke Middle and Snow Hill Middle (Worcester County); and Ridgely Elementary (Caroline County).

Silver: Berlin Intermediate, Cedar Chapel Special School, Showell Elementary and Snow Hill Elementary (Worcester)

Bronze: Federalsburg Elementary (Caroline)

Redistricting Process: Redistricting Task Force to Begin Meeting Nov. 16

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:28:28 -0500

The Redistricting Task Force for Wicomico County Public Schools will begin meeting Monday, Nov. 16.

Over the past three weeks, the school system was contacted by a number of volunteers willing to serve on the Redistricting Task Force. That Task Force is now ready to begin meeting and will meet approximately twice a week through early January.

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting Tuesday, Oct. 13, approved the use of a task force comprised of approximately 1/3 staff, 1/2 parents/guardians, and 1/6 community members to assist the school system with redistricting.

The task force includes parents/guardians and community members from throughout the county. (Staff members who serve on the task force will serve only as staff members, not as parents.)

“It’s very critical that we have the input from our entire community on this task force,” Board President Mark S. Thompson said.

Redistricting is necessary because in the more than 10 years since Wicomico last changed school boundaries, some Wicomico schools have become overcrowded while others are underutilized, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Fredericksen said at the October Board of Education meeting.

The Redistricting Task Force, starting from Targets for Establishing Student Attendance Areas, will examine enrollment numbers and other data to develop a redistricting proposal. There will be many opportunities for public input before the Task Force presents a final proposal to the Board in January.

“This process has built-in times for people to get involved and share their thoughts,” said L. Michelle Wright, Board vice president.

Throughout the redistricting process, the Board will keep the community up to date with a redistricting page on its web site at www.wcboe.org/redistricting, and public input may be made at any time by calling 410-677-5251 and leaving a message, or e-mailing to comments@wcboe.org.

A final vote on the redistricting plan is anticipated for the February 2010 Board meeting.

Mardela Community Mourns Passing of Legendary Coach and Teacher Barbara McCool

Wicomico County Board of Education — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:25:04 -0500

Barbara McCool, 71, who since 1965 had served Mardela Middle and High School as a physical education teacher and coach of girls basketball and other sports, died Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Arrangements are being handled by Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury. Coach McCool’s funeral service will be held at Mardela Middle and High School at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

“I loved her and she loved kids,” Principal Lori Batts said. “She went to the ends of the earth to help students. She put so much of her time, money, blood, sweat and tears into this school and we are grateful for her.”

McCool received a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian College in Boone, N.C., in 1960, and for five years she taught physical education in Virginia school districts. In 1965 she was hired as a teacher for Mardela Middle and High, and she remained there for the rest of her career, serving not only as a teacher but as the athletic director and girls head basketball coach. She also served as head coach of the boys soccer team for three years at a time when a strong coach was needed to rebuild the program.

“As a head coach, she was a true professional, performing her duties with the utmost efficiency and ability. She was an innovative and dynamic coach, infusing her athletes with tremendous motivation and instilling in them a desire to be the best they can be,” said Ralph Osborne, who as supervisor of athletics for Wicomico County Public Schools supervised Coach McCool for 23 years. Though she coached at one of the smallest high schools in the state, she fostered a tradition of success for her teams and athletes. She was recognized earlier this year for reaching the milestone of 600 career varsity wins, and in 2008-09 was selected as the Maryland District VIII Athletic Director of the Year. Her teams had numerous county, conference and regional titles over the decades.

“While she was demanding of her athletes, she always had their best interests at heart. She nurtured them and encouraged them in all their endeavors,” Osborne said. “Her demands and expectations of her athletes were only surpassed by the demands and expectations she placed on herself. She was like iron, never bending or breaking. In more than 40 years of coaching, she only ever missed one game, and that was due to an emergency stay at the hospital – with guards outside the door, of course, to prevent her leaving for the game.”

Liza Hastings, assistant principal at Bennett Middle School, played for Coach McCool from 1988-92. Unlike one of her contemporaries, Tia Jackson, Hastings did not seem destined for a career in basketball either as a player or coach. That didn’t matter to Coach McCool, who pushed every player to be their personal best no matter what their level of ability. Though Hastings was not a natural athlete, “She never let me use that as an excuse. She taught me to push myself, that you have to have pride, and that you never settle… She pushed, and because of that I pushed, and that translated into academics and other areas of high school, like getting into the SGA (Student Government Association).”

“I have such respect for her, I really do. She’s one of my heroes,” Hastings said.

Ron Wainwright, a Mardela High School history teacher and former Wicomico Teacher of the Year, held Coach McCool in high esteem after knowing her for 25 years and spending 14 years as her assistant coach for soccer, track and basketball. “She sacrificed a lot of her own personal life for the kids and the school,” he said. “I know of no person who has ever put in as much time for the kids and the basketball program and the school as she did – ever.”

“She would do or say anything if it was in the best interest of the kids,” Wainwright said.

The Mardela Middle and High School family and the community will celebrate her life and career even as they mourn her passing. She will be missed by many in Wicomico County and beyond.

“Coach McCool exemplifies our Wicomico County teaching staff in her intense dedication to the success of every student in her care,” said Dr. John Fredericksen, superintendent of schools. “She was the consummate professional in her knowledge of her subjects and students. She spent the time needed not only to bring their skills up to the highest level at which they could achieve, but to give the gift of focused attention to each student who entered her classroom, field or gym. She was a true teacher in the highest sense of the title.”

Administration of H1N1 Intranasal Vaccine Continues in Wicomico Schools

Wicomico County Board of Education — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:02:43 -0500

The Wicomico County School System and the Wicomico County Health Department are working together to offer the H1N1 intranasal vaccine to Wicomico elementary students.

Clinics are scheduled Friday, Nov. 6, for students at Fruitland Intermediate and North Salisbury Elementary.

Clinics have already been held at Fruitland Primary, Beaver Run Elementary, Westside Intermediate, Prince Street Elementary, Willards Elementary, Pemberton Elementary, Charles H. Chipman Elementary, East Salisbury Elementary, Westside Primary, Delmar Elementary and Glen Avenue Elementary.

Consent forms for the H1N1 vaccine were sent home to elementary parents/guardians, and students whose parents signed and returned the consent form receive the vaccination free on the day of their school’s clinic.

Consent forms have also gone home with middle and high school students. Parents/guardians should immediately sign and return the consent form if they would like their student to be vaccinated. The Health Department will schedule clinics for middle and high school students once it knows how many students have returned signed the signed consent form.

The Wicomico County Health Department (WiCHD) will hold a FREE H1N1 vaccination clinic on Friday, Nov. 6. Appointments are required. Vaccinations are available in intranasal or injectable form. Priority groups for this clinic have been expanded and include the following: pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants under 6 months of age and any individuals aged 6 months-to-24 years of age.

The appointment only clinic will be held at the William C. Fritz building located at 300 West Carroll Street in Salisbury. To schedule an appointment, please call 410-543-6943.

Additional walk-in clinics for individuals within the priority groups will continue to be scheduled as vaccine becomes available. Clinic dates and locations will be posted on the Health Department website at www.wicomicohealth.org. For additional flu information, please call 211 the local H1N1 Resource Hotline.

Tips for parents/guardians on preventing H1N1 are available on the school system’s web site at http://www.wcboe.org/resources/documents/H1N1newforparents.pdf.

Stadium Activities October 16 - 19

Wicomico County Board of Education — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Due to the weather, Friday's game between JMB versus Washington has been canceled and rescheduled for Monday, October 19, 2009, at 6:30 PM.

There will now be two games played on Monday at the stadium.The game of Wicomico versus Parkside will be at 2:00 pm, followed by James M. Bennett versus Washington at 6:30 pm.

The decision on the Delmarvacade of Bands will be determined Saturday October 17, after 11:00 am.

Thursday Night's Wicomico High-Parkside High Football Game Postponed

Wicomico County Board of Education — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:19:01 -0500

Due to weather and field conditions at the Wicomico County Stadium, tonight's Wicomico High School home football game vs. Parkside High School has been postponed until Monday, Oct. 19.

If the JMB vs. Washington High game is played on Friday night, the Wi-Hi vs. Parkside game will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday. However, if JMB's game is also postponed, Wi-Hi vs. Parkside will be at 2 p.m. Monday and JMB vs. Washington will be at 6:30 p.m.